Narrandera may be a future home to a critically important research centre for one of the nation’s most iconic species, the koala.

A notice of motion was submitted by deputy mayor David Fahey to Narrandera Shire Council to lobby Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke, Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley and the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service to establish a Koala Research Centre in Narrandera.

Cr Fahey said the centre would research and protect the koala population in the Shire, create a tourism opportunity and employment for the town, and protect the disease-free status of the local koala population.

“The building of a koala research centre may help to protect and study the local Narrandera koala population,” Cr Fahey said.

“It could create employment, be a tourist attraction and could double as a rehabilitation area to treat injured koalas.
“There are no long-term financial implications for Council apart from staff time to write letters.

“It is envisaged the centre, if built, will be run by NSW Parks and Wildlife.

“The recent review of the SEPP 44 Koala Habitat Protection is an example of the need to protect the Narrandera koala population.”

The principles of the Koala SEP44 2021 are to help reverse the decline of koala populations by ensuring koala habitat is properly considered during the development assessment process.

It will provide a process for councils to strategically manage koala habitat through the development of koala plans of management.

“In NSW, koalas are special but they are also under threat. Habitat loss, urban expansion, bush fires, car strikes, dog attacks and disease are all serious threats facing our koalas,” Cr Fahey said.

“Koalas in NSW are also some of the most genetically diverse in the country. They may be critical to the future survival of the species.”

Cr Fahey told councillors Environmental Ministers agreed to collaborate on the $18 million National Koala Monitoring Program.

“I consider the koala a great asset to this region and we are one of the only disease-free koala populations in the state.

“There might be an opportunity to create some type of research or conservation centre.

“Without any current upfront cost to Council, we could lobby our local and Federal members, and the appropriate Ministers who may have some money to either build or maintain this facility.”

Cr Fahey said the proposed centre could benefit from the nearby Charles Sturt University research scientists at Wagga Wagga.

He suggested NSW DPI Fisheries could be approached as a location for the centre.

Cr Jenny Clarke supported the concept and said the promotion of the koala population in the shire should be have been “done long ago”.

It has been estimated koalas benefit the Australian economy by creating over 9000 jobs and contribute between $1.1 billion and $2.5 billion per year to tourism in Australia.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is proud of the investment the NSW Government has made in to the Narrandera Flora and Fauna Reserve, including $8 million for the Playground on the Murrumbidgee from the Regional Growth Fund.

“This investment supported an extension of the bike and hike trails through the Flora and Fauna Reserve with directional and interpretive signage, helping this important area grow as a tourism destination,” Ms Cooke said.

“This funding was an unprecedented investment in to the Narrandera Shire and has enhanced the region’s iconic visitor attractions.”

“The Narrandera Shire Council is welcome to contact me in regards to a Koala Research Centre and I am happy to make representations on their behalf.”

Narrandera local turned supermodel Victoria Lee put the spotlight on the plight of the nation’s koalas this week when she travelled to northern NSW with World Wildlife Fund in an effort to raise awareness.

She took part in tree-planting to create more koala habitats after the Black Summer bushfires tore through their homes.

Local resident Lorna Quilter said around 11 koalas were used to populate the Narrandera Common in the 1970s although it did not have an existing colony.

As a member of the koala community committee, she is hesitant to support the research centre concept due to the potential impact of SEP 44 on the surrounding farmer’s ability to operate their land.

Mrs Quilter said the koala population had spread throughout the common and surrounding land along the river to Darlington Point.

“Too many vehicles driving up and down, and people going through the Common could upset the koala’s habitat,” she said.

“The more vehicles cruising around down there, the more the koalas will be forced away.”

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 22 April 2021.