Esk group secures funding for koala restoration project

BY GRACE CRICHTON

A KOALA conservation project in Esk was successful in securing Federal Government funding to complete koala research and habitat restoration.

Care4esK have partnered with Australian Earths Law Alliance, the University of the Sunshine Coast, and traditional custodians to carry out their Koala Health and Rehabilitation Esk Somerset (KHaRES) project.

Care4esK president Darren Bate said the university conservation team would surveillance next month.

“In mid April, we will be undertaking night-time drone surveillance of the parcels,” he said.

Detection dogs will follow, looking for fresh scat which will be analysed at the university for health and genetics, particularly chlamydia.

“Then in 12 months’ time, in April 2024, the university will come back in and repeat that same survey so that this year they get a base line, and next year when they revisit they will check and compare

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Bate said.

Part of the KHaRES project includes weed eradication and habitat revegetation along Sandy Creek.

“In mid-year, July to August, we will start with a weed eradication program under the guidance of the Jinibara traditional custodi-

Shayne Neumann visited the project site in Esk on Fridayter for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek.

“Communities across Australia play a crucial role in protecting and conservingter Plibersek said.

“This funding is about supporting these groups to do what they do best.”