Caitlin Orr Shares the Latest on Our Local Koalas
There has been a rapid decline in koala numbers in some areas of NSW and even more koala habitat could be lost unless we change the way we manage our land and think about koala conservation.
A fascinating and very informative talk by Caitlin Orr, Koala Project Officer with MidCoast Council, was held this morning, Saturday 29 August, at the Tea Gardens Library.
Caitlin gave us an insight into the challenges facing koalas across NSW, with a particular focus on our local MidCoast koala population and what is being done to protect them.
Protecting and creating koala habitat
A major focus is protecting existing koala habitat and the corridors that connect it. This includes restricting land clearing in identified priority areas and creating new habitat by connecting fragmented landscapes with locally appropriate food trees, diverse vegetation and safe pathways for koalas to move through.
Restoring these corridors is equally important. Planting native koala food trees and removing weeds can reconnect fragmented forests, allowing koalas to travel, feed and breed more safely.
The best koala food trees to plant include Forest Red Gum, Tallowwood, Grey Gums and Swamp Mahogany.
Tackling the threats
Caitlin explained that koalas face a number of serious threats, particularly when habitat is lost or fragmented.
Vehicle strikes can be reduced through wildlife fencing, underpasses, overpasses and warning signs in areas where koalas regularly crossroads.
Domestic dogs are another significant threat, particularly in urban and semi-rural areas. Dog controls, community awareness and safe backyard fencing can all help keep koalas safe.
Drought and extreme heat also place enormous stress on koalas. During very hot weather, koalas may move down into the thickest, coolest parts of a tree. In severe conditions they can leave the safety of the tree altogether and seek refuge in hollows close to the ground, unfortunately making them vulnerable to dogs and other dangers.
Where koala habitat overlaps with grazing land, cattle can also pose a serious risk, with koalas sometimes forced onto the ground by habitat loss and at risk of being trampled.
Fire and climate change are additional challenges. Increasing extreme weather events make proactive management of koala habitat and the wider landscape even more important for their long-term survival.
Helping koalas during drought and fire
The audience also heard about the work of WIRES, which provides free wildlife tree water drinkers to eligible landowners in fire- and drought-affected areas through its Water for Wildlife project.
These initiatives, together with habitat restoration, can make an important difference during difficult conditions.
How do we know where our koalas are?
One of the most fascinating parts of Caitlin's presentation was learning about how koalas are monitored and surveyed.
Caitlin explained that extensive surveys have been carried out across NSW, with around 7,000 km of land surveyed, producing some very positive results.
Technology is also helping. Detection dogs and drones are being used as valuable tools to help locate and monitor koalas and better understand where they are living.
Working with landholders and the community
A particularly important part of Caitlin's role is working with private landholders to restore koala habitat through tree planting and weed control.
Caitlin said conservation wasn’t just the responsibility of councils and government agencies. “Community education, engagement and participation are essential if we are going to protect our local koalas into the future.”
Caitlin's message was both sobering and encouraging. There are real challenges ahead, but there is also a great deal that can be done when government, landholders and the community work together.
For those who would like to learn more about koala conservation in our area, take a look at MidCoast Council's Koala Safe Spaces Program.
Every tree planted, every corridor restored and every threat reduced can help give local koalas a safer future.
August 2026
There has been a rapid decline in koala numbers in some areas of NSW and even more koala habitat could be lost unless we change the way we manage our land and think about koala conservation.
A fascinating and very informative talk by Caitlin Orr, Koala Project Officer with MidCoast Council, was held this morning, Saturday 29 August, at the Tea Gardens Library.
Caitlin gave us an insight into the challenges facing koalas across NSW, with a particular focus on our local MidCoast koala population and what is being done to protect them.
Protecting and creating koala habitat
A major focus is protecting existing koala habitat and the corridors that connect it. This includes restricting land clearing in identified priority areas and creating new habitat by connecting fragmented landscapes with locally appropriate food trees, diverse vegetation and safe pathways for koalas to move through.
Restoring these corridors is equally important. Planting native koala food trees and removing weeds can reconnect fragmented forests, allowing koalas to travel, feed and breed more safely.
The best koala food trees to plant include Forest Red Gum, Tallowwood, Grey Gums and Swamp Mahogany.
Tackling the threats
Caitlin explained that koalas face a number of serious threats, particularly when habitat is lost or fragmented.
Vehicle strikes can be reduced through wildlife fencing, underpasses, overpasses and warning signs in areas where koalas regularly crossroads.
Domestic dogs are another significant threat, particularly in urban and semi-rural areas. Dog controls, community awareness and safe backyard fencing can all help keep koalas safe.
Drought and extreme heat also place enormous stress on koalas. During very hot weather, koalas may move down into the thickest, coolest parts of a tree. In severe conditions they can leave the safety of the tree altogether and seek refuge in hollows close to the ground, unfortunately making them vulnerable to dogs and other dangers.
Where koala habitat overlaps with grazing land, cattle can also pose a serious risk, with koalas sometimes forced onto the ground by habitat loss and at risk of being trampled.
Fire and climate change are additional challenges. Increasing extreme weather events make proactive management of koala habitat and the wider landscape even more important for their long-term survival.
Helping koalas during drought and fire
The audience also heard about the work of WIRES, which provides free wildlife tree water drinkers to eligible landowners in fire- and drought-affected areas through its Water for Wildlife project.
These initiatives, together with habitat restoration, can make an important difference during difficult conditions.
How do we know where our koalas are?
One of the most fascinating parts of Caitlin's presentation was learning about how koalas are monitored and surveyed.
Caitlin explained that extensive surveys have been carried out across NSW, with around 7,000 km of land surveyed, producing some very positive results.
Technology is also helping. Detection dogs and drones are being used as valuable tools to help locate and monitor koalas and better understand where they are living.
Working with landholders and the community
A particularly important part of Caitlin's role is working with private landholders to restore koala habitat through tree planting and weed control.
Caitlin said conservation wasn’t just the responsibility of councils and government agencies. “Community education, engagement and participation are essential if we are going to protect our local koalas into the future.”
Caitlin's message was both sobering and encouraging. There are real challenges ahead, but there is also a great deal that can be done when government, landholders and the community work together.
For those who would like to learn more about koala conservation in our area, take a look at MidCoast Council's Koala Safe Spaces Program.
Every tree planted, every corridor restored and every threat reduced can help give local koalas a safer future.
August 2026
