The NSW Government is seeking community input to shape recreational opportunities in the proposed Great Koala National Park on the NSW Mid North Coast.
The Minns Labor Government is delivering on an election promise to create a Great Koala National Park, which will provide habitat for more than 100 threatened species, including more than 12,000 koalas and 36,000 greater gliders.
In addition to boosting conservation, the park will also create opportunities for better visitor experiences and recreation, boosting tourism and local economies.
An online survey is now open on the NSW Have Your Say website to seek feedback on current use of the State forests and reserves within the planned area of the park. We also want to hear from people who haven't been to the region but might like to in the future.
The survey complements ongoing wider consultation with community groups who have so far provided more than 300 responses on what matters most to them when they visit these areas.
Input from 4WD clubs, mountain biking clubs, hiking/bushwalking and trail runners' clubs, horse riding and trail riding clubs, archery and gun clubs, sporting car clubs, local government, environment groups and Aboriginal communities is already feeding into the planning for future management.
The overarching park will comprise individual reserves, which will enable a range of different recreational activities. While legislation determines what activities are permissible in each reserve category, we are looking to build the Great Koala National Park as a place where conservation is balanced with the community's recreational needs.
The Have Your Say survey is open from 7am today until Sunday, 1 March and is available online: www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/great-koala-national-park.
Acting Minister for the Environment, Steve Whan said:
"The Great Koala National Park will protect more than 100 threatened species, but it's not just about conservation. The park will be a recreational hotspot for locals and visitors alike.
"We want to hear from people who use and relax in the footprint of the forests and surrounding landscapes that make up the park."
Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper said:
"We want the Great Koala National Park to be at the top of the must-see list for visitors to NSW and Australia.
"This major eco-tourism hub and unique NSW experience will attract domestic and international visitors all year round, which is a key component of our new Visitor Economy Strategy, while boosting local economies and creating jobs."
Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin said:
"The Great Koala National Park is an election commitment, and we want the community right at the centre of shaping what it becomes. Locals know this landscape best, and their ideas will help create a park people feel real ownership of and want to use.
"Done well, this park will also be a major tourism drawcard - supporting local businesses, creating jobs and delivering long-term economic benefits for communities right across the North Coast."
