We don\u2019t know about you, but the news feels a bit doom and gloomy at the moment which is why we come bearing some good (fluffy) news! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Central Coast Council conducted their first ever survey for Koalas across the region and they have detected Koalas in the Mangrove Creek Dam Catchment and Watagan Mountains!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Council conducted the survey in response to an increased number of Koala sightings reported to them according to Council Director Environment and Planning, Scott Cox. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn response to an increased number of Koala sightings being reported to us, the first ever survey for Koalas across the Central Coast was completed using a combination of phone surveys, postal surveys and an ecological study using song meters,\u201d Mr Cox said,\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPhone and postal surveys were used to help record any community Koala sightings and in Spring, song meters were deployed in 58 potential Koala habitat locations to record the bellows of male Koalas during the breeding season.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Koala sightings were reported in the Mangrove Creek Dam catchment and in the Watagan Mountains, with Ourimbah State Forest, Brisbane Water National Park and Council\u2019s Coastal Open Space System (COSS) lands also identified as other potential Koala habitats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Cox said the survey results were particularly encouraging after the devastating 2019-20 bushfire season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is positive to know that Koalas still populate areas of the Coast that were impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires. These results assist us in making land planning decisions and implementing the recently enacted Koala Habitat Protection State Environmental Planning Policy,\u201d Mr Cox said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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