Vote now to support koala vaccine protecting Moreton Bay koalas

Moreton Bay residents are being encouraged to vote this weekend to support a world-first koala vaccine that is already helping protect koalas across South East Queensland, including in and around the City of Moreton Bay.

The koala chlamydia vaccine, developed by researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast, has been named a finalist in the People’s Choice Award category of the Universities Australia Shaping Australia Awards.

With public voting closing on Monday 19 January, locals have a final opportunity to help the Queensland-led project gain national recognition.

Why this matters for Moreton Bay

Chlamydia is one of the leading threats to koalas in South East Queensland, contributing to blindness, infertility and, in severe cases, death. Koala populations in and around Moreton Bay have faced increasing pressure from disease, habitat loss and vehicle strikes in recent years.

The single-dose vaccine has now been approved for use by Australia’s veterinary medicine regulator and is already being used in wildlife hospitals, veterinary clinics and field programs to help reduce the impact of the disease on some of the nation’s most at-risk koalas.

Moreton Daily first reported on the breakthrough in September, when the vaccine was described as a world first in the fight to protect Australia’s iconic marsupial.

Read that story here

Local impact on a national stage

The vaccine has been more than a decade in development and relies on collaboration between researchers, wildlife hospitals, field veterinarians, governments, local councils and community supporters across Queensland and New South Wales.

Professor Peter Timms, who led the research team, said the award nomination recognised the collective effort behind the project.

“This vaccine is only one part of the answer to protecting our koalas, and there is much more work to be done to give them every chance at survival,” Professor Timms said.

UniSC Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Bartlett said the nomination highlighted the importance of translating research into real-world outcomes.

“This nomination is testament to the dedication of Professor Timms and his team to turn scientific research into a real solution to safeguard the future of koalas in Australia,” she said.

How your vote helps

By voting, Moreton Bay residents can help elevate a Queensland-led breakthrough that is already being used to protect local koalas, supporting further research, awareness and long-term conservation efforts.

The vaccine has been nominated in The Problem Solver Award category. Two winners will be announced in each category, one chosen by a judging panel and one decided by the Australian public.

Voting for the People’s Choice Award is open until Monday 19 January 2026.

To have your say, cast your vote here.