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The New South Wales Government officially declared the creation of the Great Koala National Park, protecting 176,000 hectares of forest and vital koala habitat, according to the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA). The milestone follows more than a decade of campaigning by conservation groups and local communities aiming to connect existing reserves with vulnerable wildlife corridors across the region.
Decade-Long Campaign Leads to Park Declaration
The journey toward the park began with an initial report published by the NPA in 2015, which urged the state government to secure koala populations against mounting habitat loss. NPA President Liz Jeremy stated that the decision marks an incredible moment for Australia’s national parks after a long and often frustrating advocacy road, according to a release issued by the organization.
Dr. Grahame Douglas of the NPA Coffs Coast Branch noted that the project achieves much more than a simple change in land title. The initiative links existing reserves with vulnerable habitats to secure a forest estate capable of connecting the escarpment to the coast, safeguarding entire catchments for local fauna and flora, according to the NPA.
Conservation Priorities and Forestry Transitions
While conservationists celebrate the boundary protection, experts emphasize that the park alone cannot guarantee the long-term survival of the species. The decade since the 2015 proposal yielded detailed data regarding koala distribution across state forests, existing reserves, and commercial plantations, according to the NPA.
The next phase requires identifying and managing areas outside the newly established park to maintain safe corridors for koala movement, Jeremy noted. Furthermore, the NPA voiced support for government-backed transition packages designed to cushion the impact on the local forestry industry, including increased investments in establishing new plantations on degraded agricultural lands.
Coalition Support Across New South Wales
The successful campaign drew backing from a broad coalition of environmental groups across the state’s north coast. Organizations that contributed advocacy support include the Nambucca Valley Conservation Association, the Bellingen Environment Centre, the Clarence Valley Environment Centre, the North-east Forest Alliance, and the North Coast Environment Centre, alongside statewide bodies like the Nature Conservation Council of NSW and the World Wide Fund for Nature, according to the NPA.
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