Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00555:body:0:p67
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00555
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Character Range: 209596–212577

1990; Reed et al. 1990). These contractions have continued in recent years (McAlpine et al. 2015). Localised declines in the distribution of Koalas have been noted in coastal areas that are subject to high anthropogenic pressure (McAlpine et al. 2015). Some areas have seen localised, though possibly temporary, expansions (Ellis et al. 2017; Lunney et al. 2009, 2012).
Dense eucalypt forest found along the east coast of Australia, Bemboka, south-east NSW. Image: © DAWE.

21.6 Australian Capital Territory
In the Australian Capital Territory, reports indicate that Koalas were common throughout the region when the territory was established (Phillips 1990). There have been several introductions of Koalas from Victoria and escapees from enclosures, and it is likely that surviving small populations in the Australian Capital Territory, should they exist, are derived in part from these introduced animals. Their likely descendants have been recorded in the Brindabella Ranges and Namadgi National Park (Phillips 1990; TSSC 2012b). However, few of these individuals would have survived the 2003 bushfires (TSSC 2012b), of which any recovering populations would have also been impacted by the 2019–2020 bushfires. Excepting an intensely managed and introduced small population at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, no wild Koalas are known to persist in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT Scientific Committee 2019).

21.7 Victoria
In Victoria, the Koala is widespread in lowland and foothill eucalypt forests and woodlands across much of those parts of the state where the annual rainfall exceeds about 500 mm. It is generally found in central, and southern Victoria, and largely absent from the semi-arid woodlands of the far north-west and high-altitude areas of the north-east of the state (DSE 2004). The distribution of the Koala in Victoria has fluctuated greatly over the past century and late 1800s because of Koala harvesting, localised overabundance and declines of populations and extensive translocation programs (Menkhorst 2008). Currently the Koala is considered broadly stable in the state (TSSC 2012b).

21.8 South Australia
The distribution of the Koala in South Australia prior to European settlement is also poorly documented, but Koalas were probably common in the south-east where clearing has since reduced available habitat (Melzer et al. 2000). A series of introductions has expanded its distribution in the state – initially to Kangaroo Island from Victoria, and then to mainland areas of the Adelaide Hills, Eyre Peninsular and sites along the Murray River. The Koala distribution in South Australia is probably constrained by the lack of availability of suitable habitat, and where they have been introduced, over-browsing by the localised expansion of populations is a significant management issue (Melzer et al. 2000; Phillips 1990).

22. Genetic structure and diversity
In all species there is a strong interplay between a species' genetic diversity and