More than 12,000 koalas will be protected under the proposed boundary. Photo: Environment and Heritage, NSW Government.
The NSW Labor Government is moving ahead with major steps to deliver one of its key environmental commitments in the last election, the Great Koala National Park.
Following the Black Summer bushfires, when NSW’s koala populations were significantly threatened, the Labor Party promised that if elected, it would establish a national park dedicated to conserving the species.
On National Threatened Species Day, the NSW Government announced a range of measures and supports to create the park, including:
- A proposed boundary for the national park
- A temporary moratorium on timber harvesting within this boundary
- $6 million in community and small-business support for the Mid-North Coast
- $60 million to establish the park itself (in addition to the $80 million announced in 2023)
- A worker and industry support package.
If the government fails to act in a significant way, koalas are on track for extinction in the wild in NSW by 2050.
The park will protect 176,000 hectares of state forest and connect with existing national parks to create a 476,000-hectare reserve, one of the largest in the state.
The proposed reserve links with other national parks and state forests. Image: Environment and Heritage, NSW Government.
More than 12,000 koalas will be protected by this action, as will 36,000 greater gliders, while habitat will be protected for an additional 100 threatened species.
“Koalas are at risk of extinction in the wild in NSW – that’s unthinkable. The Great Koala National Park is about turning that around,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.
“We’ve listened carefully and we’re making sure workers, businesses and communities are supported every step of the way.”
Australia is a world leader in species extinction, according to the Invasive Species Council, with the greatest number of mammal eradications. This is largely due to the introduction of cats, foxes and dogs.
The government has vowed to support workers, businesses and communities as the temporary moratorium on timber harvesting within the boundary area, which the government says will impact six out of 25 timber mills in the area, comes into effect.
“JobKeeper-style payments” will support workers by covering salaries, while the government will provide financial assistance to business operating costs. Workers and their families will have free access to mental health, financial and legal counselling services and training support.
The government is also in talks with workers and mills to ensure long-term options and appropriate further support.
“Our government’s priority is to fully support impacted workers with payments and services during this major change,” Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said.
“That is why we will provide financial assistance to businesses we know will be impacted, so they can continue to pay their staff’s salaries and cover costs.”
The creation of the park relies on the successful registration of a carbon project under the Improved Native Forest Management Method, currently the subject of the Federal Government’s assessment process.
The government has affirmed that the Great Koala National Park will not bring an end to forestry as an industry on the North Coast and the Independent Forestry Panel will advise the government to inform the Forestry Industry Action Plan.
More information is available on the government’s website.
