Queensland’s iconic koalas are once again in the spotlight, and not for the reasons we’d hope.

Plans to expand the Hail Creek coalmine, located west of Mackay, have sparked a heated debate about the future of one of Australia’s most beloved—and increasingly endangered—native animals.

If you’ve ever enjoyed spotting a koala in the wild or simply want to see our unique wildlife protected for future generations, this is a story you’ll want to follow closely.



Mining giant Glencore has proposed clearing a whopping 680 hectares of land to extend its Hail Creek operation.

Of that, 600 hectares are prime koala habitat. This isn’t just any patch of bushland—it’s home to a population of koalas that experts say is both large and genetically distinct, making it nationally significant.

To put things in perspective, a recent survey by the campaign group Lock the Gate used drones equipped with thermal imaging to spot 13 koalas in a single night within trees marked for clearing.

That’s the highest number the group has ever recorded in the path of a proposed mine. Maggie Mckeown, Lock the Gate’s Queensland coordinator, called the area 'clearly a critical home for koalas.'



Dr Bill Ellis, who leads the Koala Ecology Group at the University of Queensland, says the Hail Creek koalas are part of the Clarke Connors Range population. This group is not only healthy and sizeable, but also genetically unique, living across a variety of habitats.

The high number of koalas detected by drones confirms the population’s vitality – a rare bit of good news for a species that’s been doing it tough.

In 2022, the federal government officially listed koalas in Queensland, New South Wales, and the ACT as endangered. Their numbers in these states have halved since 2001, thanks to a perfect storm of threats: land clearing, disease, traffic, logging, and dog attacks.

It’s not just koalas facing the bulldozers. The proposed expansion would also clear about 600 hectares of habitat for the vulnerable squatter pigeon, another native species struggling to survive.



And then there’s the climate angle. UN-backed research earlier this year found that methane emissions from the Hail Creek mine could be three to eight times higher than previously reported.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and increased emissions only add fuel to the climate crisis—something that affects us all, especially as we see more extreme weather events across Australia.

Glencore has floated the idea of 'offsets'—setting aside alternative habitat elsewhere to compensate for what’s lost.

But Dr Ellis and other experts are sceptical. Koalas are famously fussy about their homes, and simply moving them or hoping they’ll adapt to new areas isn’t a guaranteed solution. Plus, the expansion could mean more traffic on the Peak Downs Highway, a known death trap for koalas.



Glencore’s plans are still under review by the Queensland government, with a decision expected by late 2025.

The project hasn’t yet been referred to the federal government for environmental assessment, but conservation groups aren’t waiting around. Lock the Gate, the Queensland Conservation Council (QCC), and the Mackay Conservation Group have written to the federal environment minister, calling for a moratorium on new projects in the area until the koala population’s size, health, and habitat can be thoroughly investigated.

Charlie Cox from the QCC summed it up: 'Koalas deserve the highest levels of protection, but in central Queensland they’re losing habitat to coalmining companies who bulldoze their homes and fuel the climate crisis.'



A Glencore spokesperson acknowledged the importance of koala habitat and said the company is working with state and federal governments to develop an environmental management plan to minimise impacts on local flora and fauna.

However, their own environmental assessment admits that the impacts from clearing would be 'unavoidable and would adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of this species.'

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has confirmed it’s aware of the project and reminded all parties that any action likely to have a significant impact on protected species must be referred for national assessment.

Read more: Heartbreaking discovery in Queensland: Learn why this tragic koala story is a wake-up call for all of us!


We’d love to hear from you! Have you ever spotted a koala in the wild? Do you think mining companies are doing enough to protect our native wildlife? Should the government step in to halt projects that threaten endangered species? Share your stories and opinions in the comments below!