Koala Habitat Restoration Partnership Program

A partnership approach is key to the successful delivery of the program. The Restoration Plan for each site has been developed by QTFN in close collaboration with the owners of each property. Tailored to the specific needs of each site and shaped to achieve the most koala habitat gain for every dollar spent, the Restoration Plans incorporate best-practice revegetation methods.

The success of the Koala Habitat Restoration Partnership Program has seen the Queensland Government increase the funding capacity of the program from their initial investment of $1.78M to $4.48 million, enabling the program to significantly increase the amount of koala habitat restoration delivered across South East Queensland.

The program funding includes investment by the Land Restoration Fund to investigate ways that carbon offsetting can be incorporated into koala habitat projects. This will supplement delivery costs and increase the amount of habitat restoration return for the koala conservation funding invested.

Over 100 Expressions of Interest were received for the third round of the Koala Habitat Restoration Partnerships Program in October 2023 which are currently under assessment. We will be in touch with the applicants to let them know the status of their application over the next few months.

Why should landholders get involved?

The program provides a unique opportunity for landholders to tackle the key threats of habitat loss and fragmentation on their own properties and to make a valuable contribution towards reversing koala declines in SEQ.

Landholders will have the added support of the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI), Queensland Trust for Nature, and other stakeholders who will contribute a range of skills and resources over the four-year project period.

If you have any queries about the Koala Habitat Restoration Partnership Program, please contact us at khrpp@qtfn.org.a

The assessment process

QTFN follows this 4-step process for project site selection:

1. Expression of interest:

Each applicant is invited to submit up to five sites for consideration using a single form for each site. The EOI form will automatically be populated into a database of all potential project sites. The information provided in the form will be used to inform the initial desktop assessment for your project, and if your application is successful, this information will be used to guide field assessments and to strategically allocate restoration funds in a way that maximises gains in koala habitat.

Applications for expressions of interest are currently closed, we hope to open again in 2024.

Due to number of applications and the time taken to undertake desktop assessments, we will endeavour to be in contact with landholders within two months from the closing date to advise the status of their application.

Note: Previous applicants are welcome to resubmit. Please contact us at khrpp@qtfn.org.au if you have any queries about resubmitting applications.

2. Desktop analysis (QTFN input only)

The desktop assessment will assess project sites according to their size, their potential to connect existing habitat patches, and position within strategic areas and corridors.

3. On ground site assessment (QTFN input only)

On ground assessments will further assess potential projects according to their habitat quality and koala activity. Note: the landholder may be required to provide QTFN ecologists a tour of their property prior to or during on-ground assessments.

4. Project comparison and selection (QTFN input only)

The cost-benefit analysis will compare potential projects according to their koala habitat gain and delivery cost feasibility and allocate funds to successful projects based on the estimated gain in koala habitat quality and koala population per project dollar spent.

Monitoring and acquittal:

QTFN will undertake ongoing monitoring and reporting throughout the four-year project period to ensure that desired habitat restoration outcomes are being achieved.

There is no requirement for successful landholders to undertake monitoring or prepare an acquittal upon completion of their restoration project.