A new report to be launched on the Sunshine Coast today shows koalas face an existential threat from urban sprawl and greenfield development in South East Queensland.

The Holding the Line report (PDF 6mb), commissioned by Queensland Conservation Council, shows the new update to the ShapingSEQ regional plan risks taking one of Australia’s fastest growing regions below the 'bare minimum' international benchmark of 30% bushland coverage. Almost 6% of bushland is at risk of being lost to urban sprawl and new developments over the planning time period.

Expert analysis released today shows consolidation and well-designed infill can deliver all the housing that South East Queensland needs, with fewer costs and better social outcomes than urban sprawl. Commissioned by Queensland Conservation Council, the independent report from SGS Economics and Planning (PDF 3mb) provides a welcome injection of impartial and expert analysis to the housing debate.

The State Government is currently updating the SEQ Regional Plan in response to the housing crisis and growing population, with SEQ expected to grow to over 6 million people over the coming two decades.

• Have your say on the draft SEQ Regional Plan
• Read the Best Practice Regional Planning for SEQ report (PDF 3mb)

Queensland Conservation Council is calling for the State Government’s South East Queensland draft regional plan to protect our native forests and the koalas, owls and other wildlife that calls it home.

The new plan - released for public consultation today - sets the rules around development in the state's south-east, which is expected to grow to accommodate a population of 6 million by 2046.

The plan proposes that 70% of development will take place within the existing urban footprint, while 30% will involve expansion into new areas.

Koalas face extinction if the six million residents projected to call South East Queensland home by 2046 are all housed in new detached housing estates.

Queensland Conservation Council has sounded the alarm that the future of our threatened species will be determined by how we build new homes.