How Rethinking the Australian Dream Can Help Save Koala and Platypus Populations – Wildlife Ahead Ep #4

The Australian housing crisis isn't just affecting people, it’s causing an animal housing crisis too. With countless new developments popping up all over the country, James and Elysee talk to experts to find out exactly how it's affecting wildlife, like platypus and koalas, and what solutions there may be for living in harmony with them. 

They first chat with Dr Michelle Ryan, an aquatic ecologist, about a healthy platypus population in Western Sydney. With the platypus habitat threatened by the effects of new housing developments around the corner, citizen scientists have helped get government attention to protect them. 

Then, James and Elysee visit Koala Beach on the NSW North Coast, where 75% of the development area has been designated to keep as koala habitat. Irene Tims, a resident, explains what it’s like to live there. 

Next, our hosts talk to Deborah Tabart, chair of the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF), about how she negotiated the protection of koalas at Koala Beach. The AKF says that a Koala Protection Act will help ensure that the impact of future developments won’t be as devastating to koalas. 

Hugh Possingham, former Queensland Chief Scientist, is a supporter of higher density housing to save our precious species. He talks about how the set up of our cities and suburbs are currently unfavourable, not only for biodiversity, but also for us. 

Thank you to:  

Dr. Michelle Ryan

Cattai Hills Environment Network 

• https://chen.org.au/what-we-do/citizen-science-research/

Irene Tims 

Deborah Tabart OAM from the Australian Koala Foundation 

• https://savethekoala.com/ 

Professor Hugh Possingham

Recorded, written, and edited by James Worsfold and Elysee Lee