About this project
GeoLINK provides Koala management and monitoring services for aged care development on the North Coast of NSW.
GeoLINK prepared a Koala Plan Management (KPoM) for Grafton Aged Care located at South Grafton, for client Croft Developments Pty Ltd. The KPoM outlined mitigation measures, Koala habitat compensation (tree planting areas) and a program of monitoring to protect the population of Koalas at the site. We were further engaged to undertake a baseline monitoring round and then a subsequent five years of Koala monitoring, which included spotlighting surveys and scat searches.
Why are KPoM needed?
If a development application affects land that is identified as core koala habitat, a KPoM may be required. Koala survival is increasingly threatened by habitat destruction, climate change, and human development. KPoMs are designed to guide actions that protect koala populations and ensure their habitats are preserved.
Management plans are critical to:
- Mitigate risks and address hazards to Koalas by human activity and changes to their environment like a development.
- Protect and restore Koala habitats.
- Monitor populations to gain valuable data on koala movements, breeding, and population health.
Grafton Aged Care’s successful KPoM.
The successful implementation of the KPoM for the aged care facility is a great example of how engaging reputable consultants can have positive results for both the local fauna and the development. The key objective was to safeguard the resident koala population as well as ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
GeoLINK’s approach to the Grafton Aged Care project highlights how professional consultants, like GeoLINK, can balance development needs with ecological stewardship. This KPoM demonstrates the use of effective application Koala management practices by including:
- Mitigation measures to reduce risks to the local Koala population.
- Koala habitat compensation through dedicated tree planting areas.
- A comprehensive monitoring program to track site usage by koalas over five years.
The program incorporated techniques such as spotlighting surveys and scat searches, ensuring an accurate understanding of local wildlife dynamics.
Key findings from the project
The monitoring program revealed some key insights:
- High Koala numbers were recorded during certain events, including one night in 2023 when five Koalas (including a dependent joey) were observed.
- Koalas consistently used the site in similar numbers to the baseline monitoring throughout the five years.
- Dependent juveniles were recorded in Year 2 and Year 4, confirming continued breeding at the site.
- Other threatened species, including the Squirrel Glider, Brush-tailed Phascogale, and a juvenile Greater Glider, were observed at the site.
These findings underscore the importance of systematic monitoring in assessing the health of Koala populations and their habitat.
Benefits beyond the project
The insights gained from this project’s KPoM contribute valuable data to inform Koala management at other sites. By understanding habitat usage, breeding patterns, and risk factors, future projects can adopt more effective conservation strategies.
The importance of engaging reputable consultants
Developing a KPoM requires expertise in ecology, local regulations, and wildlife conservation. Engaging a reputable consultant, such as GeoLINK, can provide significant benefits:
- Tailored strategies by consultants who develop site-specific plans that consider unique ecological conditions and species requirements.
- Regulatory compliance, which ensures environmental laws and guidelines are followed, minimises delays and unnecessary costs.
- Credible data from reliable monitoring programs help guide project decision-making.
- Long-term benefits are possible through recommendations for ongoing habitat management that strengthen conservation efforts beyond the project’s timeline.
GeoLINK is a leading consultancy with proven expertise in developing KPoM and other comprehensive ecological services. We’ve built a strong reputation for providing achievable and effective solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of clients and the environment. Get in touch with our Ecology team to find out more.