Koala Habitat Assessments in SEQ: What SDAP State Code 25 Means for Your Development
Koala populations across South East Queensland have declined significantly over the past two decades, and the regulatory framework protecting them has become increasingly stringent. If you’re developing land in SEQ, there’s a good chance your project will need to comply with SDAP State Code 25 - the state’s primary regulatory mechanism for protecting koala habitat on development sites.
This guide explains what State Code 25 is, how to determine if it applies to your site, what a koala habitat assessment involves, and what outcomes you can expect.
What Is SDAP State Code 25?
SDAP stands for State Development Assessment Provisions. These are the rules that the Queensland Government uses to assess development applications referred to the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA). State Code 25 specifically deals with development in SEQ koala habitat areas.
The purpose of State Code 25 is to ensure that development in mapped koala habitat areas does not result in a net loss of koala habitat values, maintains safe koala movement through the landscape, and addresses threats to koalas from dogs and vehicles.
Koala Priority Area vs mapped koala habitat area: Which Mapping Applies to Your Site?
The koala habitat mapping system in SEQ divides land into two main categories. The category your site falls into determines how strict the assessment will be:
How the two mapping categories compare
Both are assessed under State Code 25, but the assessment requirements differ.
| Mapping category | What it represents | Assessment approach |
|---|---|---|
| Koala Priority Area | The most important koala habitat in SEQ, where koala populations are known to persist and habitat connectivity is critical for long-term survival. | The strictest assessment requirements. Clearing of koala habitat trees is generally not supported unless there are no feasible alternatives. |
| mapped koala habitat area | The broader koala habitat mapping layer. | Somewhat less restrictive than Koala Priority Area. Development must still demonstrate that koala habitat impacts have been avoided where possible and minimised where unavoidable. |
You can check whether your site falls within Koala Priority Area or mapped koala habitat area using the Queensland Government’s State Planning Policy Interactive Mapping System (SPP IMS) or the Development Assessment Mapping System (DAMS).
Which SEQ Councils Are Most Affected?
While State Code 25 applies across all of SEQ, some council areas have substantially more mapped koala habitat than others. The councils where koala assessments are most frequently required include:
| Council | Where koala mapping is most extensive |
|---|---|
| Logan City Council | Extensive Koala Priority Area mapping across the western and southern suburbs, particularly around Jimboomba, Flagstone, and Yarrabilba growth areas. |
| Redland City Council | Significant koala populations on the mainland and parts of North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah). |
| Moreton Bay Regional Council | Koala Priority Area and mapped koala habitat area mapping throughout Caboolture, Narangba, and the Pine Rivers area. |
| Brisbane City Council | Koala habitat mapped across western and southern suburbs including Karana Downs, Moggill, and the Koala Bushlands. |
| Ipswich City Council | Emerging development areas in Ripley Valley and surrounds with koala habitat constraints. |
| Gold Coast City Council | Northern growth corridor areas around Coomera, Pimpama, and the hinterland. |
What Does a Koala Habitat Assessment Involve?
A koala habitat assessment under State Code 25 is a detailed ecological study that must be carried out by a suitably qualified ecologist. The assessment typically includes the following components:
Spot Assessment Technique (SAT) surveys
The SAT methodology is the standard approach used to determine koala activity on a site. It involves searching for koala faecal pellets (scats) beneath a sample of trees across the property. The presence, absence, and density of scats indicates how koalas are using the site.
Habitat quality assessment
The ecologist maps vegetation communities, identifies koala food tree species and their density, assesses canopy connectivity and landscape context, and evaluates existing threats such as roads, dogs, and habitat fragmentation.
Food tree and corridor mapping
All koala food trees on the site are identified and mapped. Key SEQ food trees include species of Eucalyptus, Corymbia, Lophostemon, and Melaleuca. The ecologist also assesses whether the site forms part of a movement corridor connecting patches of habitat.
What Outcomes Should You Expect?
Following a koala habitat assessment, the ecologist will prepare a report that addresses all relevant performance outcomes under State Code 25. Depending on the site’s koala habitat values, potential outcomes include:
| Outcome | What it means for your project |
|---|---|
| No constraints | If the site has minimal koala habitat value, the report may confirm that no specific koala management measures are required beyond standard conditions. |
| Design modifications | The development layout may need to be modified to retain koala habitat trees, maintain movement corridors, or provide fauna-friendly fencing. |
| Koala management plan | For larger or more complex developments, a detailed koala management plan may be required, setting out management actions during construction and operational phases. See also our management plan services. |
| Offset requirements | Where koala habitat clearing cannot be avoided, the developer may be required to provide environmental offsets in accordance with the Queensland Environmental Offsets Framework. |
Common Questions
How do I find out if my site is mapped as koala habitat?
You can check whether your site falls within Koala Priority Area or mapped koala habitat area using the Queensland Government’s State Planning Policy Interactive Mapping System (SPP IMS) or the Development Assessment Mapping System (DAMS). Your ecologist can confirm the mapping as part of an assessment.
What is the Spot Assessment Technique (SAT)?
SAT is the standard methodology used to determine koala activity on a site. It involves searching for koala faecal pellets (scats) beneath a sample of trees across the property. The presence, absence, and density of scats provides an indication of how koalas are using the site.
Which trees count as koala food trees in SEQ?
Key koala food trees in SEQ include species of Eucalyptus, Corymbia, Lophostemon, and Melaleuca. All koala food trees on the site are identified and mapped during the assessment, and the ecologist also assesses whether the site forms part of a movement corridor connecting patches of habitat.
Will I definitely need an offset?
Not necessarily. Outcomes range from no specific constraints, through design modifications and a koala management plan, to offset requirements. Offsets are generally only required where koala habitat clearing cannot be avoided, and must be provided in accordance with the Queensland Environmental Offsets Framework.
Getting Started
The most efficient approach is to engage an ecologist early in the project planning phase - ideally before you lodge a development application. Early identification of koala habitat constraints allows your design team to incorporate avoidance and mitigation measures from the outset, which is far more cost-effective than redesigning later.
Learn more about our koala habitat assessment services or contact Queensland Ecologists for a site-specific assessment.
Need ecological consulting for your project? Request a quote or call (07) 3018 7538.