The Independent Koala Expert Panel (the Expert Panel) commenced in 2018 to inform the development of the NSW Koala Strategy 2018-2021. The ongoing role of the Expert Panel is to provide independent scientific advice and expertise related to koala conservation measures in NSW, including to support implementation and the annual review of the Strategy, and other matters as requested. This is provided to the Minister for the Environment and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
The Expert Panel comprises the diverse areas of expertise required to review and support the Koala Strategy’s delivery. Targeted consultations and whole-panel meetings ensure the panel is accessible and flexible to the changing needs of the Strategy and ensure scientific expertise and advice is available across the Program's diverse implementation areas.
The Expert Panel undertakes a number of actions including:
- Providing expert input into the Government's review of the NSW Koala Strategy
- Providing advice to the Minister for the Environment on the implementation of the Government's koala conservation plan
- Supporting an end-of-program evaluation and providing recommendations for ongoing conservation action.
Expert Panel
Dr Darren Saunders – Chair and Deputy Chief Scientist & Engineer
Professor Carolyn Hogg – Senior Research Manager & Adjunct Professor, Australasian Wildlife Genomics Group, The University of Sydney
Professor Jonathan Rhodes – Professor in Applied Ecology, Queensland University of Technology
Oliver Costello – Executive Director Jagun Alliance, Director National Koala Recovery Board, Co-chair Koala Recovery team, First Nations Reference Group
Dr Karen Marsh – Research fellow, Australian National University
Associate Professor Ben Moore – Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University
Dr. Martin Predavec – Independent ecologist, Fellow and Board member Royal Zoological Society of NSW, former Principal Scientist (Koala Ecologist) NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Terms of Reference
Independent Koala Expert Panel Terms of Reference
Contact
For all enquiries please contact leesa.keogh@chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au