Inland Rail is studying koala populations along eight sections of the Inland Rail program, aiming to capture data about existing levels of gene flow and current health of the marsupials along the alignment.

The koala genetics study is a partnership between Inland Rail, Environmental Resources Management Australia (ERM) and the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC).

The extensive field investigations will span across eight Inland Rail project areas from Narromine in NSW to Acacia Ridge in Queensland.

These insights will be used to inform koala management plans for each impacted Inland Rail project and enable project teams and construction contractors to develop solutions which can protect and support sustainable koala populations through the delivery of the projects.

In coming months, landowners are advised they may notice field teams of two researchers looking for sightings and evidence of koalas. The teams will be assisted by koala detection dogs from USC Detection Dogs for Conservation team who are trained to smell and detect koala scat. Alongside the dog detection surveys, researchers will undertake vegetation surveys to support a broader understanding of koala distribution, diet and habitat along the alignment.

Inland Rail Program Environment Advisor Vanessa Gorecki said the findings of the study would inform impact assessment and management and put Inland Rail in a good position to contribute to koala conservation and population recovery plans throughout the lifetime of the project.

The study will commence on properties within the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton project area.

Questions about the study and the planned site investigations can be directed to the Stakeholder Engagement Teams on 1800 732 761.