NSW parliament approves Great Koala National Park

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 08:38 · Archive

NSW parliament has passed legislation to establish a 476,000-hectare Great Koala National Park on the mid-north coast.

NSW parliament has approved legislation to establish a Great Koala National Park spanning 476,000 hectares on the state's mid-north coast. The decision follows a decade of advocacy, with the Labor party first publicly backing the proposal in 2015. The park aims to protect more than 12,000 koalas living in the region, along with over 100 other threatened species including greater gliders.

Environment Minister Penny Sharpe described the park as 'good for the koalas and the trees they live in' and 'an iconic and must-visit park now and for future generations'. Greens MP Sue Higginson, who campaigned extensively for the park, called it 'an extraordinary achievement and a historic victory for our precious native forests' after communities 'fought for more than a decade' to see it realised.

Conservation groups including WWF Australia celebrated the approval. Dermot O'Gorman, WWF Australia's chief executive, said 'protecting hundreds of thousands of hectares of connected habitat will give koalas and other endangered species room to recover and adapt as the climate changes'.

However, some conservation advocates noted limitations. Clancy Barnard of Nature Conservation Council NSW said that whilst the park's establishment was a milestone, the government's recent decision to expand coal mining was disappointing for habitat protection. The North Coast Environment Council also expressed concern about areas being earmarked for recreational use.

How it is being reported

• Green light for koala park a decade in the makingA state parliament has passed legislation establishing the creation of a major national park designed to protect koala habitats in the state.Perth Now · 23 Oct, 08:05
• Green light for koala park a decade in the makingA state parliament has passed legislation establishing the creation of a major national park designed to protect koala habitats in the state.The West Australian · 23 Oct, 08:05

In this story: NSW · Great Koala National Park · Penny Sharpe · Sue Higginson · WWF Australia · Nature Conservation Council NSW · North Coast Environment Council

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