NSW creates 478,000-hectare Great Koala National Park on Mid North Coast
NSW parliament has passed legislation establishing the Great Koala National Park, protecting 478,000 hectares between Kempsey and Grafton and ending native forest logging.
The legislation passed today after more than 14 hours of debate in the Legislative Council, which considered 160 amendments. The park combines existing national parks with more than 178,000 hectares of state forest and Crown Land.
Environment Minister Penny Sharpe called it a defining moment for conservation, protecting more than 100 plant and animal species. Conservationist Ashley Love, who spent over a decade campaigning for the park, said reports of declining koala numbers in the region spurred the effort.
The federal Clean Energy Regulator approved carbon credits for ending native forest logging in the park's state forest areas. A logging moratorium was introduced last year with transition support for affected workers.
The logging industry said the ban has had a creeping impact, with staff layoffs and slower orders for supply firms. The Forestry Corporation cut more than 30 jobs in Coffs Harbour related to the park.
- 478,000 hectares
- Park size
- 178,000 hectares
- State forest included
- 100-plus flora and fauna
- Species protected
Why it mattersThe park marks a major environmental win after years of negotiation, balancing conservation with real costs to workers and regional industries that depend on logging.
AustraliaNSW now protects a significant area of native forest and koala habitat on its Mid North Coast, though timber workers face ongoing job losses as the industry shrinks.
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