2.4 - Key Outcomes

• The historical record indicates that koalas have a long history of occupation in the

Ballina LGA, with the earliest known record dating back to 1900 from the southern banks of the Richmond River.

• The historical Extent of Occurrence of koalas in the Ballina LGA encapsulates almost the entire LGA with the possible exception of small areas to the east of the Richmond

River in the southeast. Records further imply a significant expansion of the EoO over the last three koala generations, the trend most noticeable in the northwest and in the vicinity of East Ballina.

• Area of Occupancy analysis for the time period 1949-1994 implies an optimal occupancy rate approximating 50% of available habitat which appears to have further increased over the last 3 koala generations.

• Generational Persistence Assessment alludes to a significant expansion in the amount of habitat exhibiting generational persistence over the last three koala generations. Assessment further supports the presence of a major source population in the southern half of the LGA, the data establishing persistence over at least 6 consecutive koala generations in the southeast.

• Documented range expansions and GPA increases by koalas across the LGA? indicate the presence of suitable habitat within a highly fragmented matrix. To this end the presence of preferred food trees such as Tallowwood in agricultural windrows amidst plantations have become critical habitat elements, more so because they are also growing on high nutrient soil landscape types.