Qld Government's approval of Dreamworld Masterplan fast tracks local koala extinction

The Crisafulli Government's decision to approve Dreamworld's Masterplan is a major set-back for koalas of the northern Gold Coast. The Queensland Conservation Council, Gecko Environment Council, and Coomera Conservation Group oppose the clearing of koala habitat which all evidence demonstrates will result in accelerating local koala extinction.

Karina Waterman of Coomera Conservation Group said:

Minister Bleijie and the Crisafulli Government, have put Coomera koalas on a fast track to local extinction with the approval of Dreamworld's expansion.

While we encourage sustainable development and genuine ecotourism, this proposal is in direct conflict with endangered koalas.

Gecko Environment Council, Coomera Conservation Group and Queensland Conservation Council have called for referral under the EPBC Act for independent federal assessment.

Anthony Gough, Acting Director, Queensland Conservation Council, said:

This Dreamworld expansion is a nightmare for our iconic koalas, who are suffering death by a thousand cuts in south east Queensland.

This area has previously been identified by local conservationists as vitally important koala habitat that needs to be protected. In 2025, surveys confirmed 68 koalas within a 2km radius alone in this area, and further development would directly threaten the survival of any remaining koalas.

As a federally-listed endangered species, any project that threatens the habitat of this iconic species needs to be referred for assessment under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. However we understand no such referral has occurred.

We urge Dreamworld to rethink their plan to clear this important koala habitat and call on the Federal Government to intervene and ensure this project is properly assessed under Commonwealth law.

Clearing conflicts with on-ground conservation for koala survival

The koala population of the East Coomera - Pimpama area, has already halved in a decade and is on a trajectory to local extinction as shown in scientific studies. There are many efforts underway by multiple stakeholders working together across Community, Government, First Nations, and Industry to try and turn that around.

Sara Hicks, Gecko Environment Council's Campaign Coordinator, said:

Our community organisations are committed to on-ground conservation actions, alongside many stakeholders, so that we can turn around the trajectory of losing our local koalas completely.

Karina Waterman of Coomera Conservation Group has been on this frontline for the past decade, dealing hands-on with the impacts of habitat loss on koalas. She said:

Despite the heavy fragmentation and habitat loss, koala surveys tell us there is still a significant number of koalas utilising this area and it's surrounds.

These last pieces of habitat are pivotal for the survival of urban koalas.

Significant clearing of critical koala habitat has a wide impact on koalas in the northern Gold Coast. It means loss of food trees, increasing risks of vehicle strike and dog attack as habitat fragments and disappears.

Override of QLD's planning regulation to protect critical habitat

The approval of Dreamworld under Ministerial Call-In powers is not an isolated case in QLD as planning regulation to protect species is overriden for unsustainable development.

Sara Hicks, Gecko Environment Council, said:

The Crisafulli Government's dangerous overriding of critical habitat protections has direct for consequences threatened species and ecosystems.

Yet communities consistently tell us nature is a priority to them, and a main reason we choose to live in our beautiful state.

The irony that the proposed development, largely for tourism with interests to showcase our amazing natural environment and wildlife, is not lost on our communities.

Despite no community right to appeal this decision, due to the Ministerial Call-in powers, we will keep advocating to hold the line for threatened species where habitat should be protected.

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