Australia’s environmental offset system is “ridiculous” and must change to prevent the koala being wiped out in several areas of the country, according to the Australian Koala Foundation.

 

The koala has seen much of its habitat cleared for urban expansion and industry, with the marsupial also considered particularly vulnerable to climate change. It was listed as vulnerable in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory in 2012.

 

In a submission to a Senate inquiry into environmental offsets, the foundation called for a change to the system whereby the government can approve a development if the proponent promises to “offset” the destruction of native habitat by safeguarding equivalent habitat elsewhere.

 

Critics claim the system allows for the destruction of irreplaceable vegetation, dooming the animals that rely upon it.

 

A University of Queensland study has found that “smart” planning of roads and forested areas is needed to maintain the genetic diversity of koalas and ultimately ensure the species’ survival.

 

The research mapped out how tree cover and roads affected the gene flow of koalas across south-east Queensland.

 

Researchers found healthy dispersal of koala genes “dropped rapidly” once the percentage of forest cover fell below 30%. Areas with little or no forest cover had rates of gene flow three times lower than areas where forest cover was 100%.

 

While koalas spend most of their time in trees, they do move between areas to mate, thereby spreading genetic diversity – a crucial process for the survival of the species.

 

“Koala numbers have dropped massively over the past 15 years in south-east Queensland, and further urbanization will affect them more,” said Jonathan Rhodes, the co-author of the report.