KOALA experts are sceptical of the council’s announcement that it will buy 32ha of land to “expand koala habitat”.

Research Fellow with the Law Futures Centre and the Institute for Ethics, Governance and Law at Griffith University, Dr Timothy Cadman said the buyup was the absolute minimum the council could have done.

“Saving 32ha is just meaningless tokenism,” Dr Cadman said.

“Koalas can cope with small ranges if the food is very good, the forest nutrient-rich, and there is plenty of water but, in the best of conditions, an area that size would not sustain a viable population.”

The Ipswich Mayor boasted on her Facebook page of how the council would acquire “320,000 square metres”, from a private landowner at Ripley between White Rock-Spring Mountain and the Flinders-Goolman estate.

Cr Harding described the land as “koala habitat in a significant ecological corridor”, which would be bought up with funds from the ratepayer-funded Ipswich Enviroplan Levy.

The location of the property has not been revealed as the council continues to negotiate over the deal with the property owner.

Meanwhile, Central Queensland University koala ecologist Dr Rolf Schlagloth said the 32ha of land must come coupled with a koala plan.

“The council must support these koalas via its planning scheme,” he said.

“There needs to be bylaws on dog ownership and keeping, retaining and planting koala habitat trees, and for the use of ropes in pools.

“And, importantly, there needs to be education on koalas in this space,” Dr Schlagloth said.

“There are very few examples of surrounding developments not having a detrimental impact on existing koala populations.

“It appears the aim at Ripley is to argue that, by purchasing 32 ha, all is good for the future of the koalas in that area and that development that necessitates koala habitat removal can go ahead.

“I hope Ipswich Council can muster a comprehensive koala approach that involves a study of the koalas and their habitat.”

Ipswich City Council Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairman Jim Madden said council was “dedicated to conserving and protecting our natural environment” while continuing to deliver “affordable housing”.

“Our Koala Conservation and Habitat Management Plan Koala is our guiding document that aims to protect, enhance, manage and increase koala habitat across the local government area,” Councillor Madden said.

“The plan works with council’s Natural Environment Strategy 2023 to identify and manage key koala habitat corridors across Ipswich and sets out council’s goals and strategy for koala management.

“In early 2025, council will be engaging contractors to conduct updated koala surveys across Ipswich and review the Koala Conservation and Habitat Management Plan.”