Koala paddock tree project

Local Land Services supported 17 landholders in the Hunter region to trial a simple fencing method to protect isolated paddock trees, helping improve koala habitat and biodiversity on farms.

Project objectives

This project encouraged the protection of paddock trees for koala habitat by:

• trialling and monitoring simple solar-powered electric fencing
• providing advice and capacity-building events to landholders.

Project background

Isolated trees are critical stepping stones for koalas in Areas of Regional Koala Significance (ARKS). By fencing off small areas, landholder can help tree seedlings grow and old trees to recover, improving long-term koala habitat and biodiversity.

Grazing livestock prevent regeneration of isolated paddock trees by eating new seedlings and damaging the tree base. Over time, this reduces the number of mature trees available for koalas, impacting their safety and habitat.

Landholders needed a low-cost, low-effort method to protect paddock trees and demonstrate the long-term benefits of natural regeneration.

Project updates

2022–2023

17 landholders agreed to trial fencing around 30 paddock trees using a simple, solar-powered electric fencing kit. Each tree had a 0.25 ha exclusion zone to keep stock out for at least three years. The fencing consisted of:

• posts
• two electric tape strands
• a small solar energiser.

Local Land Services provided the fencing kits and collaborated with MidCoast 2 Tops Landcare for project coordination and site monitoring. Monitoring included:

• tree health checks
• native seedling emergence
• wildlife signs (such as koala scratch marks, hollows).

No planting was required and natural regeneration was encouraged from the existing soil seed bank. Minimal weeding was done at selected sites.

Project outcomes

By 2025, surveys showed that 68% of fenced paddock trees had new saplings growing. 

Sites displayed a mix of native seedlings, grasses, and weeds.

Where landholders weeded or mowed patches, native seedlings had a stronger start.

The project included community engagement through:

• media coverage
• landholder conversations
• a paddock tree fencing demonstration at Gloucester High School. 

This event included free fence construction training delivered by TAFE NSW. 

A community planting day also drew around 50 participants.

Landholders will continue:

• maintaining fences
• controlling weeds
• monitoring regeneration over the coming years. 

Funding and partnerships

This project was funded by Australian Government’s Bushfire Recovery Program for Wildlife and their Habitat.

Key partners include:

• MidCoast Council
• Hunter Regional Landcare
• MidCoast 2 Tops Landcare
• TAFE NSW.

Related information

• Wildlife friendly fencing