Since 2013 the Venus Bay Community Centre has had an ongoing Koala Project to encourage planting of the indigenous koala food and habitat tree Coast Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. Pryoriana) at Venus Bay and in the surrounding area.
Venus Bay has a small and seemingly healthy koala population which is under threat from a combination of habitat loss, residential development, dog attacks, vehicle accidents and disease. You can make a contribution towards securing the future of this much loved marsupial by retaining native vegetation on your property and ensuring that your dog does not harass the animals.
This project aims to encourage a viable koala population on the Venus Bay Peninsula through progressive planting of Coast Manna gums. The manna stock is grown from Venus Bay seeds, so it is completely indigenous to this area. Coast Manna Gum seedlings and other habitat plants are seasonably available from the Venus Bay Community Centre for a gold coin donation.
A map of plantings has been recorded over the years, which helps to indicate where important habitat corridors are, are where we still need to plant to improve much needed wildlife corridors in the region.
As a result of the project, there are lots of stories of koala sightings in the area.
When driving be aware that koalas use roadside corridors to move around, especially in the evenings, so please slow down and look out for wildlife. Please keep dogs on lead as many native animals can be found on Venus Bay roadsides.