A national icon at home in our backyard

Koalas are continuing to thrive in Alexander Clark Park at Loganholme.

Numerous sightings of koalas, including mums and their joeys, were made by wildlife experts and park visitors during the recent breeding season.

As part of Save the Koala Day, Division 10 Councillor Miriam Stemp attended a koala conservation and education walk in Alexander Clark Park, hosted by not-for-profit environment support organisation Watergum.

A group of locals, which included adults and children of all ages, joined the walk where they observed 3 koalas.

‘We all learned how to look for koala scratch marks on tree trunks, how to spot koala scat and how to identify those eucalypt trees most likely to have koalas feeding in them,’ Cr Stemp says.

Koalas are most likely to be seen in the tree-tops by walking the bush trails in the areas of Alexander Clark Park that flank the Logan River.

These natural forested areas were given high-priority protection during the recently completed $6.34 million upgrade of park facilities, which includes a 5-metre-high koala
play tower that serves as a playful tribute to the local inhabitants.

The final works in the latest phase of the multi-stage upgrade include new amenities, an extension and resealing of the car park and new park signage.

Earlier works included the playground upgrade, a water play area, a sensory garden, native bee hives, nest boxes, additional picnic areas and informative and directional signage.

‘We wanted the park to be a place that families could visit for fun and relaxation while also having an opportunity to learn more about the environment,’ Cr Stemp says.

‘And hopefully, if they were lucky like those who went on the recent conservation walk, they might just catch a sighting of koalas in their natural environment.’

To learn more about our local environment, visit Council’s website at logan.qld.gov.au and search for ‘environment and sustainability’.

For details on Watergum and its future activities, go to watergum.org.