Koala Fire Management Plan: Ballina Shire

Ballina Shire Council engaged Wildsite to prepare a shire-wide Fire Management Plan for all koala habitat across the Local Government Area (LGA).

Regular fire is a natural component of the open forests of Ballina Shire and plays a crucial role in maintaining koala habitat and food trees. However, the suppression of Aboriginal burning and severe wildfire pose a serious threat to the long-term viability of remnant koala populations. While large, high intensity canopy fires have the potential to eliminate koalas from extensive tracts of forest, fire is nonetheless essential for the maintenance of koala habitat, and long-term fire exclusion can lead to habitat decline and displacement.

The Plan outlines six management strategies, including:

• • Planned Burns
  • Access & Strategic Fire Breaks
  • Integrated Fire Planning
  • Aboriginal Cultural Burning
  • Bush Fire Response
  • Education, Monitoring & Research