Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe, is in Coffs Harbour to advance plans for the Great Koala National Park, a world leading park which will protect a nationally critical koala population and more than 100 threatened species.
The creation of the park is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to not only save vital habitat from extinction but build a world-class tourist destination that protects the environment while boosting tourism and the local economy.
The final creation of the park is dependent on the successful registration of a carbon project under the proposed Improved Native Forest Management method. This is progressing following public consultation in January. The method is expected to be considered by the Commonwealth Government's Independent Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee.
The future park is rich with opportunities for recreation and we want these to be shaped by community voices at every step. Dozens of consultation sessions, from local market stalls to meetings with recreational groups, have drawn strong participation. More than 4,000 survey responses have explained how people want to protect the forests and develop recreation activities that will make the Great Koala National Park a must-see destination.
The Minister will meet with the Aboriginal Advisory Panel in Coffs Harbour. For the first time, the park will appoint NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Aboriginal cultural heritage rangers, embedding cultural knowledge and care at the heart of park management.
Following extensive collaboration with Elders and Traditional Owners on the Aboriginal Advisory Panel, positions will be created for Aboriginal Rangers.
The area is a significant cultural landscape for the Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti peoples, including places of creation, ceremony and spirituality, traditional camps, resource gathering areas and pathways.
Extensive preparation is underway to ensure the park is ready from day one, including:
- boosting firefighting capacity with the NSW Rural Fire Service and Forestry Corporation NSW through more fire fighters, new equipment like fire trucks and early detection technologies
- refining park boundaries for the best conservation possibilities and working with local tourism, council and other partners to unlock new visitor and recreation opportunities
- preparing legislation to reserve the Great Koala National Park in late 2026.
Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe, said:
"The Great Koala National Park is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect one of Australia's most important koala populations while recognising the deep cultural connection Traditional Owners have to this landscape.
"The Minns Labor Government has been working closely with the community to ensure planning delivers strong environmental protection, while driving nature based and recreational tourism on the Mid North Coast."
Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin, said:
"The Great Koala National Park is a landmark investment in the Mid North Coast, securing our unique environment while driving new local jobs and economic opportunities for our communities.
"By putting local voices at the heart of this process, we are ensuring the park's creation delivers for everyone who lives and works here.
"We are backing new Aboriginal cultural heritage roles, strengthening fire preparedness, and building sustainable tourism to ensure the North Coast continues to thrive as a world-class destination."
