Koalas, one of Australia’s cutest animals (sorry, ’roos), are sadly under threat. Without action, these eucalyptus-munching marsupials could be extinct in the wild in NSW by 2050. To prevent this, the government is delivering on its election promise to establish the Great Koala National Park.
The sanctuary will reserve 176,000 hectares of state forest and link with existing national parks, including Bellinger River National Park, creating a 476,000-hectare reserve – one of the largest in NSW and Australia. Alongside koalas, the lush area will protect 36,000 greater gliders and provide habitat for more than 100 other threatened species.
Not everyone is happy, though. Timber harvesting within the proposed boundary has been temporarily stopped, affecting six of more than 25 timber mills and around 300 jobs. Support packages are available for workers, including JobKeeper-style payments, free mental health, financial and legal counselling and training assistance. The government has also committed an extra $6 million to support local communities and small businesses on the mid-north coast.
Premier Chris Minns said: “Koalas are at risk of extinction in the wild in NSW – that’s unthinkable. The Great Koala National Park is about turning that around. We’ve listened carefully and we’re making sure workers, businesses and communities are supported every step of the way.”
An additional $60 million has been announced for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to help create the park, on top of the $80 million announced in 2023.
Minister for the North Coast and Small Business, Janelle Saffin, added: “We are delivering on our election promise. The Great Koala National Park will protect one of NSW’s most loved species while providing an economic boost for locals and businesses.”
The park can only be officially created once a special carbon project – the Improved Native Forest Management Method – receives approval from the Federal Government. That process is still underway.
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