Maria Matthes
@talkingkoala.bsky.social
Threatened species, ecological communities, evolutionary processes, floodplains, fire ecology, koala research, education, advocacy, rescue, animal welfare
Reposted by Maria Matthes
🧶👵 protest the introduction of new NSW Planning laws at NSW Parliament House today. The laws are meant to fast track housing but will allow the Minister to approve projects without oversight - even by local councils. A 🎁 4 developers at the expense of our environment. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
October 14, 2025 at 5:56 AM
🧶👵 protest the introduction of new NSW Planning laws at NSW Parliament House today. The laws are meant to fast track housing but will allow the Minister to approve projects without oversight - even by local councils. A 🎁 4 developers at the expense of our environment. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Reposted by Maria Matthes
“Fast tracking” anything is a recipe for disaster. It means regulations and limitations that were put in place to keep us safe are likely to be glossed over. Then, 20 years later, someone else has to fix it.
There’s some pretty alarming stuff happening in NSW right now with big changes to the planning laws being rushed through Parliament.
The proposed amendments create major corruption risks and should be closely reviewed by ICAC.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
The proposed amendments create major corruption risks and should be closely reviewed by ICAC.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
NSW’s fast-track planning laws could allow mines to be approved without environmental assessment
Environmental assessments could go out the window for mining projects, windfarms and other developments, green groups say
www.theguardian.com
October 4, 2025 at 6:38 AM
“Fast tracking” anything is a recipe for disaster. It means regulations and limitations that were put in place to keep us safe are likely to be glossed over. Then, 20 years later, someone else has to fix it.
Reposted by Maria Matthes
‘Changes to the act would remove references to “protecting the environment” and “promoting the social and economic welfare of the community and a better environment”, replacing them with phrases such as “promote productivity through the development and management of the state and its resources”
October 4, 2025 at 2:20 AM
‘Changes to the act would remove references to “protecting the environment” and “promoting the social and economic welfare of the community and a better environment”, replacing them with phrases such as “promote productivity through the development and management of the state and its resources”
Reposted by Maria Matthes
" NSW’s fast-track planning laws could allow mines to be approved without environmental assessment "
There’s some pretty alarming stuff happening in NSW right now with big changes to the planning laws being rushed through Parliament.
The proposed amendments create major corruption risks and should be closely reviewed by ICAC.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
The proposed amendments create major corruption risks and should be closely reviewed by ICAC.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
NSW’s fast-track planning laws could allow mines to be approved without environmental assessment
Environmental assessments could go out the window for mining projects, windfarms and other developments, green groups say
www.theguardian.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:54 PM
" NSW’s fast-track planning laws could allow mines to be approved without environmental assessment "
Reposted by Maria Matthes
Right now, we’re seeing a return to the bad old days of unconstrained Ministerial powers over individual developments being proposed in NSW Parliament.
The Govt should release ICACs advice on the laws before this gets rushed through Parliament next week.
michaelwest.com.au/nsw-fast-tra...
The Govt should release ICACs advice on the laws before this gets rushed through Parliament next week.
michaelwest.com.au/nsw-fast-tra...
Back to Obeid? Fast-track housing laws a stalking house for fast-track mines - Michael West
NSW could return to the Obeid days with new fast-track planning laws for “housing” handing the minister unprecedented power for mines
michaelwest.com.au
October 7, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Right now, we’re seeing a return to the bad old days of unconstrained Ministerial powers over individual developments being proposed in NSW Parliament.
The Govt should release ICACs advice on the laws before this gets rushed through Parliament next week.
michaelwest.com.au/nsw-fast-tra...
The Govt should release ICACs advice on the laws before this gets rushed through Parliament next week.
michaelwest.com.au/nsw-fast-tra...
Our wildlife needs greater levels of assessment 😰 koalas are dying on our roads and failing legislation is to blame - strengthen environmental laws don't weaken them @chrisminnsmp.bsky.social
There’s some pretty alarming stuff happening in NSW right now with big changes to the planning laws being rushed through Parliament.
The proposed amendments create major corruption risks and should be closely reviewed by ICAC.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
The proposed amendments create major corruption risks and should be closely reviewed by ICAC.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
NSW’s fast-track planning laws could allow mines to be approved without environmental assessment
Environmental assessments could go out the window for mining projects, windfarms and other developments, green groups say
www.theguardian.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Our wildlife needs greater levels of assessment 😰 koalas are dying on our roads and failing legislation is to blame - strengthen environmental laws don't weaken them @chrisminnsmp.bsky.social
Reposted by Maria Matthes
There’s some pretty alarming stuff happening in NSW right now with big changes to the planning laws being rushed through Parliament.
The proposed amendments create major corruption risks and should be closely reviewed by ICAC.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
The proposed amendments create major corruption risks and should be closely reviewed by ICAC.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
NSW’s fast-track planning laws could allow mines to be approved without environmental assessment
Environmental assessments could go out the window for mining projects, windfarms and other developments, green groups say
www.theguardian.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:50 AM
There’s some pretty alarming stuff happening in NSW right now with big changes to the planning laws being rushed through Parliament.
The proposed amendments create major corruption risks and should be closely reviewed by ICAC.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
The proposed amendments create major corruption risks and should be closely reviewed by ICAC.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
🙏🐨💖🤗 it has been a full on time in #koala rescue land - 2 nights ago I rescued Zero 🥰 big 8 yo boy on the ground - turns out he had been attacked by a snake 😰 he is in ICU in critical condition at #FriendsOfTheKoala Please keep fingers crossed 🤞 for him 💕
October 2, 2025 at 8:54 AM
🙏🐨💖🤗 it has been a full on time in #koala rescue land - 2 nights ago I rescued Zero 🥰 big 8 yo boy on the ground - turns out he had been attacked by a snake 😰 he is in ICU in critical condition at #FriendsOfTheKoala Please keep fingers crossed 🤞 for him 💕
Shooters, Fishers, Farmer Party want the right to hunt - our wildlife needs us to keep strong gun laws nb.australiainstitute.org.au/australia_ne...
✍️ PETITION: Australia Needs a National Firearms Register
Our research has revealed there are now more licenced firearms in Australia than before the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. ✍️ Add your name to call on the Federal Government to urgently establish a Nation...
nb.australiainstitute.org.au
September 10, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Shooters, Fishers, Farmer Party want the right to hunt - our wildlife needs us to keep strong gun laws nb.australiainstitute.org.au/australia_ne...
Reposted by Maria Matthes
Legend by Paul Nicklen Photography
August 9, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Legend by Paul Nicklen Photography
Reposted by Maria Matthes
5 years after the NSW Government was advised to install underpasses to protect koalas on Appin Road, none are complete.
Developer Stockland is still trying to gain access to land owned by Lendlease to complete the first.
Koala deaths are at record highs.
au.news.yahoo.com/calls-for-ac...
Developer Stockland is still trying to gain access to land owned by Lendlease to complete the first.
Koala deaths are at record highs.
au.news.yahoo.com/calls-for-ac...
Calls for action as road safety project remains incomplete after five years
New housing is being quickly constructed, but promised safety measures on a nearby road are yet to eventuate. Find out more.
au.news.yahoo.com
July 26, 2025 at 3:23 AM
5 years after the NSW Government was advised to install underpasses to protect koalas on Appin Road, none are complete.
Developer Stockland is still trying to gain access to land owned by Lendlease to complete the first.
Koala deaths are at record highs.
au.news.yahoo.com/calls-for-ac...
Developer Stockland is still trying to gain access to land owned by Lendlease to complete the first.
Koala deaths are at record highs.
au.news.yahoo.com/calls-for-ac...
Reposted by Maria Matthes
🚨Arooga arooga! 🚨
Excited to share the cover of my very first picture book: "Bear to the Rescue"! 🐨🐶📘🔥
Co-written with Romane Cristescu, and illustrated bySylvia Morris, our book tells the true story of Bear as he goes from being a bit "too much" to saving koalas after the 2020 mega fires 🔥
Excited to share the cover of my very first picture book: "Bear to the Rescue"! 🐨🐶📘🔥
Co-written with Romane Cristescu, and illustrated bySylvia Morris, our book tells the true story of Bear as he goes from being a bit "too much" to saving koalas after the 2020 mega fires 🔥
July 31, 2025 at 2:16 AM
🚨Arooga arooga! 🚨
Excited to share the cover of my very first picture book: "Bear to the Rescue"! 🐨🐶📘🔥
Co-written with Romane Cristescu, and illustrated bySylvia Morris, our book tells the true story of Bear as he goes from being a bit "too much" to saving koalas after the 2020 mega fires 🔥
Excited to share the cover of my very first picture book: "Bear to the Rescue"! 🐨🐶📘🔥
Co-written with Romane Cristescu, and illustrated bySylvia Morris, our book tells the true story of Bear as he goes from being a bit "too much" to saving koalas after the 2020 mega fires 🔥
Reposted by Maria Matthes
Koala concern in SW Sydney focuses on N-S corridor when the Koalas need E-W
access.
access.
August 2, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Koala concern in SW Sydney focuses on N-S corridor when the Koalas need E-W
access.
access.
Reposted by Maria Matthes
Look here for what we can do to help preserve Sydney’s special Koalas from extinction. www.savesydneyskoalas.org.au
HOME | Save Sydney's Koalas
www.savesydneyskoalas.org.au
August 5, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Look here for what we can do to help preserve Sydney’s special Koalas from extinction. www.savesydneyskoalas.org.au
Reposted by Maria Matthes
A 20 strong flock of 👵🧶‘s assembled outside NSW Parliament House today for our annual “Welcome Back Pollies” event. Thanks to #Climate #Forest #Rivers #Koalas guests including @suehigginson.bsky.social
We also heard the latest on Sydney’s new Koala Park with Saul Deane from Save Sydney’s Koalas! 🧵
We also heard the latest on Sydney’s new Koala Park with Saul Deane from Save Sydney’s Koalas! 🧵
August 5, 2025 at 7:43 AM
A 20 strong flock of 👵🧶‘s assembled outside NSW Parliament House today for our annual “Welcome Back Pollies” event. Thanks to #Climate #Forest #Rivers #Koalas guests including @suehigginson.bsky.social
We also heard the latest on Sydney’s new Koala Park with Saul Deane from Save Sydney’s Koalas! 🧵
We also heard the latest on Sydney’s new Koala Park with Saul Deane from Save Sydney’s Koalas! 🧵
Reposted by Maria Matthes
That's @talkingkoala.bsky.social. She's still mostly over at the 𝕏hitter, unfortunately.
April 12, 2025 at 1:37 AM
That's @talkingkoala.bsky.social. She's still mostly over at the 𝕏hitter, unfortunately.
🙏🐨🌳💖🤗 finally managed to reset my password - it has been a busy time since Tropical Cyclone Alfred, lost my passwords, post-viral fatigue 🙄, doing our #koala health assessments, and planting trees - back on deck firing on all cylinders - couple of little beauties to start on a positive 😍
August 9, 2025 at 10:40 PM
🙏🐨🌳💖🤗 finally managed to reset my password - it has been a busy time since Tropical Cyclone Alfred, lost my passwords, post-viral fatigue 🙄, doing our #koala health assessments, and planting trees - back on deck firing on all cylinders - couple of little beauties to start on a positive 😍
🙏🐨💖🤗 understanding #koalas existence, behaviour, threats, conservation, management, and #habitat #BallinasKoalas #EastCorakiKoalas are things I love to talk about and share 😍
December 14, 2024 at 2:18 PM
🙏🐨💖🤗 understanding #koalas existence, behaviour, threats, conservation, management, and #habitat #BallinasKoalas #EastCorakiKoalas are things I love to talk about and share 😍
Reposted by Maria Matthes
Fun fact: Koala fingerprints are almost identical to human fingerprints. So, if you want to commit a crime, bring a koala to throw off the investigators. What a cute crime scene. Also koalas have chlamydia. But, still…
Don’t believe me? Check it.
www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ar...
Don’t believe me? Check it.
www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ar...
Koalas have fingerprints almost identical to ours
Koalas are the only non-primates with fingerprints. How is that possible—and why?
www.pbs.org
December 5, 2024 at 11:28 AM
Fun fact: Koala fingerprints are almost identical to human fingerprints. So, if you want to commit a crime, bring a koala to throw off the investigators. What a cute crime scene. Also koalas have chlamydia. But, still…
Don’t believe me? Check it.
www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ar...
Don’t believe me? Check it.
www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ar...
Reposted by Maria Matthes
The Koala is a marsupial and considered endangered by the Australian government after the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires. The koala population dropped by 30% between 2018 and 2021. Threats to koalas include habitat loss, deforestation, urbanization, droughts, and bushfires
December 10, 2024 at 8:56 PM
The Koala is a marsupial and considered endangered by the Australian government after the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires. The koala population dropped by 30% between 2018 and 2021. Threats to koalas include habitat loss, deforestation, urbanization, droughts, and bushfires
Reposted by Maria Matthes
Thirteen Koalas found in the Hills Hornsby district in the north of Sydney. Were it not for the amazing citizen scientists we are lucky to work with they would not have been found as the NSW Gov does not even recognise Koala Habitat as being in the Hills District LGA!! www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
'Very strong case': Drones spot unrecognised koala group in Sydney
Wildlife groups say thermal drone imagery has found more than a dozen koalas in an area that isn't recognised by the state's koala strategy.
www.abc.net.au
December 12, 2024 at 7:39 AM
Thirteen Koalas found in the Hills Hornsby district in the north of Sydney. Were it not for the amazing citizen scientists we are lucky to work with they would not have been found as the NSW Gov does not even recognise Koala Habitat as being in the Hills District LGA!! www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
Reposted by Maria Matthes
Thinking that Knitting Nannas were winding down for Christmas while two of our own were locked onto a giant tree flattener shutting down Forestry’s logging of the Bulga State Forest for another day!
On #insta instagram.com/reel/DDGegyu...
#SaveBulgaForest
There's no rest for us Nannas!
December 3, 2024 at 6:24 AM
Thinking that Knitting Nannas were winding down for Christmas while two of our own were locked onto a giant tree flattener shutting down Forestry’s logging of the Bulga State Forest for another day!
On #insta instagram.com/reel/DDGegyu...
#SaveBulgaForest
There's no rest for us Nannas!