Queensland could look to creating more state parks or setting aside large tracts of vegetation from development as it looks to save the dwindling south-east koala population.

A University of Queensland report found the state had all but lost the battle to save koalas using existing protection measures – which essentially worked on protecting small pockets of habitat within urban areas – with populations continuing to decline.

Queensland could look to lock up more land as State Parks to save SEQ koala populations Credit:Mark Baker

In announcing $12.1 million in funding over four years to help protect koalas – with the spending to be determined by an expert panel which will include Associate Professor Jonathan Rhodes who led the report detailing the failures – Environment Minister Steven Miles said it was time for a change in thinking.

Part of that change is the set down of on-going funding, which means panel members can count on $2.6 million a year even once the $12.1 million over the next four years runs out – at least until there is a change in government.