Report 1: Advice on the protection of the Campbelltown Koala population (2020)
In December 2019, the Hon. Matthew Kean MP, Minister for Energy and Environment, and the Hon. Rob Stokes MP, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, requested advice on the protection of the Campbelltown koala population.
Specifically:
- The adequacy of the proposed measures for koala conservation proposed by property group Lendlease on land referred to as Mt Gilead Stage 2 (MGS2) and the consistency of these measures with the NSW Koala strategy
- What, if any, additional conservation measures are considered necessary
- What, if any, site-specific measures for koala species should be incorporated into the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan for the Greater Macarthur Growth Area to support the long-term viability of the koala population
- Whether east-west corridors linking the Nepean and Georges Rivers can contribute to the conservation of the Campbelltown koala population; and, if so, which east-west corridors and what measures should be taken to ensure their effectiveness.
Advice on the protection of the Campbelltown Koala population Terms of Reference
Report 1
Advice on the protection of the Campbelltown Koala population
Response to questions about advice provided in the Koala Independent Expert Panel Report 1 'Advice on the protection of the Campbelltown Koala population' (2021)
Subsequent to the release of the Advice on the Protection of the Campbelltown Koala Population (2019) report, the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment requested clarification on questions regarding the corridors and buffer zones.
The Independent Expert Panel, who provided advice on the 2019 Report, was reconvened, with the Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer providing secretariat support. The Response was provided to the Department in February 2021.
Report 1 Expert Panel
An Independent Expert Panel was established to provide advice. The panel consisted of some members of the Independent Expert Advisory Panel for the NSW Koala Strategy and included:
- Dr Chris Armstrong PSM, Deputy Chief Scientist & Engineer (Chair)
- Professor Kathy Belov AO, Professor of Comparative Genomics and Pro Vice-Chancellor Global Engagement, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney
- Dr Carolyn Hogg, Senior Research Manager, Australasian Wildlife Genomics Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney
- Professor Jonathan Rhodes, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Queensland.
The Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer provided secretariat support.
Report 2: Advice regarding the protection of koala populations associated with the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (2021)
In April 2021, the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and the Minister for Energy and Environment requested the Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer provide advice on the adequacy of koala specific measures in the Wilton Growth Area (WGA) and Greater Macarthur Growth Area (GMGA) in the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (CPCP).
The advice provides principles that should be applied across both the CPCP and surrounding regions for the protection of the South Western Sydney koala population. This includes advice regarding the adequacy of the CPCP’s koala specific measures in supporting a long-term strategic landscape-scale outcome for koalas across WGA and GMGA
Advice regarding the protection of koala populations associated with the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan Terms of Reference
Report 2
Report 2 Expert Panel
An Independent Expert Panel was established to inform the advice provided to the Minister, and membership included:
- Dr Chris Armstrong PSM, Deputy Chief Scientist & Engineer (Chair)
- Associate Professor Mathew Crowther, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the University of Sydney
- Dr Ben Moore, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University
- Dr Martin Predavec, Retired, former Principal Scientist, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
The Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer provided secretariat support.