Koala conservation requirements for dog owners
Every Gold Coast resident must prevent their dog from contacting and causing harm to a koala known to have entered their property.
Dog owners in breach may be subject to enforcement action under Local laws.
Find out if you live in a designated koala area
To find out if your home is in a designated koala area, use our interactive map.
If you have a dog and live in a designated koala area
Dog owners living in a koala area must ensure the area where their dog can access either:
- prevents a koala entering the property (koala-exclusion fencing), or
- provides structures to help a koala escape the property (koala-friendly fencing).
If the property is more than 2000m2, there are some additional requirements. Dog owners must either:
- confine their dog to a secure area between sunset and sunrise (such as in a dwelling, garage, veranda or crate), or
- contain their dog in an enclosure having an area less than 2000m2 that prevents a koala entering or helps a koala escape.
To find out more, see our Checklist for dog owners or download Koalas and domestic dogs on the Gold Coast(PDF, 346KB)
Tell us if something's not right
You can report a problem, such as inadequate fencing where a dog lives in a designated koala area.
Report a dog enclosure in a koala area
The photo gallery below shows how you can help make your backyard safe.