This decade decides their future

Koalas are one of the most loved animals in Australia, they’re gentle, iconic, and a symbol of the bush we all treasure. But here in Queensland, koalas are in real trouble. Every day, our rescue teams and wildlife hospitals see koalas hit by cars, attacked by dogs, displaced by development, struggling through heatwaves, or suffering from preventable disease.

The Queensland Government is developing a new Koala Conservation Strategy for 2026–2036, and this is a crucial moment. The actions taken now will decide whether koalas remain in the wild for our children and grandchildren to experience, or continue sliding toward extinction.

RSPCA Queensland has prepared a submission to the government calling for stronger, practical, science based measures that truly protect koalas.

Our recommendations

Below is a simple summary of what we’re asking for.

1. Protect the bushland koalas rely on

Koalas can’t survive without healthy trees and connected habitat. Once bushland is gone, it’s gone forever.

We’re calling for:

• stronger protection of existing koala habitat
• stopping loopholes that allow clearing to slip through unnoticed
• keeping wildlife corridors connected so koalas can move safely

People want to live in communities with trees, wildlife and green spaces, not just concrete. Protecting koalas protects the lifestyle Queenslanders love.

2. Make roads safer for wildlife

Car strikes are one of the leading causes of koala deaths. We want:

• safe wildlife crossings
• fencing where it helps keep koalas off dangerous roads
• targeted speed reduction in hotspot areas

You can also help wildlife when driving by slowing down at dawn/dusk, stopping to check when you hit wildlife on the road, and immediately reporting sick or injured wildlife to our 1300 ANIMAL hotline or your nearest wildlife carer.

3. Help stop dog–koala conflict

We’re asking the government to require koala safe fencing in new estates and smart planning that separates dog zones from koala corridors.

How you can help:

• keep dogs indoors or supervised at night
• train dogs not to chase wildlife
• check trees and fences for wildlife before letting pets outside

These small actions can save lives.

4. Invest in koala health and rescue services

Our wildlife hospitals care for hundreds of koalas every year, but demand keeps increasing. We’re calling for:

• stable funding for wildlife hospitals
• expanded disease management (including vaccination)
• better disaster response for fire, flood and heatwaves

Most Queenslanders assume someone will be there when a koala needs help, but without proper funding, wildlife rescue and hospital services can’t keep up.

5. Make it easier for Queenslanders to report koalas

Citizen science is powerful. Thousands of people already share koala sightings.

We want a:

• single government backed sightings platform
• public dashboard that shows where koalas are being found, rescued or lost
• simple tools that help people report koala sightings

6. Support long term behaviour change

The biggest threats to koalas - cars, dogs, urban growth - all come from human behaviour.

We’re calling for:

• statewide koala safety education
• clear guidance for communities in high risk areas
• messages that are consistent across councils, schools and government

7. Strengthen animal welfare protections during development

Queenslanders expect that when development happens, koalas won’t be harmed in the process.

We want:

• mandatory, accredited spotter catcher standards
• better oversight of research to avoid repeated handling of the same animals
• clear accountability when clearing directly impacts koala populations through injury and death



This is a turning point

Queenslanders care deeply about koalas. In every crisis such as fire, floods, disease outbreaks, the public steps up. But koalas need more than heartfelt support. They need a strong Strategy backed by science, funding and the voices of people who care.

By endorsing RSPCA Queensland’s submission, you’re helping ensure the Government hears a clear message:

We want a future where koalas still live wild and free in Queensland, not just in photos or memories.

If you support a safer, greener future for our koalas, please endorse our submission.

Together, we can help Queensland’s koalas survive and thrive for generations to come.