How you can help Koalas

Every koala is precious. The survival of koalas now depends on us.

There are lots of ways you can help to recover our nationally significant koala population in Ballina. We can all make a difference, here are some tips:

1. Report sick or injured koalas to Friends of the Koala on 02 6622 1233 
2. Drive with care at night, especially in koala zones
3. Be a responsible dog owner - keep your dog away from koalas
4. Plant koala trees on your property or join your local Landcare group
5. Get involved – join a local group working to help koalas

Plant koala trees

If you’re looking to plant trees on your property to benefit koalas, please contact Council or a local expert for advice on planting the right trees in the right places.  This advice may save you time and money but most importantly, deliver the best outcome for koalas.

Koalas feed almost exclusively on a few preferred tree species which are of primary and secondary importance. These species can vary depending on where you are located. The preferred food trees for koalas in Ballina are listed below:

The trees koalas prefer to eat and use for shelter depend on the particular area and its surrounding habitat. In Ballina Shire, koalas can shelter in non-food trees such as Camphor Laurel, rainforest trees and even macadamia plantations.

Ballina Shire landholders who wish to manage and improve native habitat for koalas and other biodiversity values on their properties can participate in a voluntary property registration scheme. Contact Ballina Shire Council on 1300 864 444 or email council@ballina.nsw.gov.au to find out more.

Friends of the Koala have developed an information sheet if you are interested in restoring koala habitat:

Be a responsible dog owner

Koalas are mostly active at night and around dawn and dusk. However, they often move during the day. Koalas on the ground are vulnerable, particularly when they come into contact with dogs.

Here are some simple tips to keep your dog (and our koalas) happy and healthy:

1. Bring your dog inside at night, enclose your veranda with a gate, or create a secure dog run that is away from trees.
2. If your dog is barking or growling at something in your backyard or up a tree, check it out, it could be a koala!
3. Place koala escape poles near fences, and ropes in pools, to ensure koalas have a chance to escape if they enter your yard.
4. Watch out for koalas in your area. Always keep your dog on a leash outside of the home or walk your dog at one of the seven off-leash areas across Ballina Shire. For a map of off-leash areas visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/exercising-your-dog
5. Notify Council on 1300 864 444 if you see dogs roaming, unleashed in public areas, or if you see wild dogs notify Local Land Services on 1300 795 299.

Ballina Shire Council in collaboration with project partners through the NSW Government Saving Our Species Programs, have developed a Dogs and Koalas factsheet: