[Greens-Media] Time Garrett backed call for koala listing upgrade to 'vulnerable'

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDAI RELEASE
25 May 2010


Time Garrett backed call for koala listing upgrade to 'vulnerable'

Greens NSW senate candidate Lee Rhiannon has backed the call of the
Australian Koala Foundation for Environment Minister Peter Garrett to
upgrade the listing of koalas to 'vulnerable'.

"The Greens are working with communities across NSW committed to
safeguarding koala habitat. Their experiences highlight the need for
greater protection of this unique Australian animal," Ms Rhiannon
said.

"Minister Garrett's announcement that he is considering listing the
koala as ‘conservation dependant' will not provide the protection
needed to safeguard koala populations currently under threat from
logging, land clearing and urban development.

"I urge the Minister to work with the Australian Koala Foundation as
this group has established the need for the koala to be listed as
'vulnerable' under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act.

"Communities in the southeast, Port Stephens and the Gunnedah region
who are working hard to protect koala habitat have informed me of
their work.

"Listing koalas as 'vulnerable' would greatly assist their volunteer efforts.

"I am aware of other groups and individuals in northeast NSW and other
areas that restore injured koalas to good health and campaign to
protect their habitat.

"Minister Garrett can quickly help these volunteer efforts by changing
the listing," Ms Rhiannon said.




For more information: Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568.



--
Lee Rhiannon
Greens NSW MP
0427 861 568