The NSW Government today announced the proposed boundary for the Great Koala National Park, alongside a comprehensive plan to support workers, industry and local communities.

The move was welcomed by the WWF-Australia, the Nature Conservation of Council of NSW, Forest Alliance NSW and The Greens.

WWF-Australia’s CEO, Dermot O’Gorman, said the new national park would help reverse the rapid decline of east coast koalas.

“Koala numbers in NSW crashed by more than half between 2000 and 2020 thanks to deforestation, drought, disease and devastating bushfires,” said Mr O’Gorman.

“This park is a chance to turn this tragedy around and eventually lift koalas off the threatened species list by 2050.

“It will safeguard some of our most important koala habitat and ensure future generations can still experience forests full of koalas.

“These tall eucalypt forests are a climate refuge for koalas. Australia needs landscape-scale protected area networks like this to prepare for the possibility of 2.5 to 3 degrees of warming by the end of this century.”

On National Threatened Species Day, the NSW Government is announcing:

The proposed boundary for the Great Koala National Park

• An immediate temporary moratorium on timber harvesting within this proposed boundary
• A comprehensive worker and industry support package
• $6m in community and small business supports for the mid-north coast region
• An additional $60 million to establish the park.

The state government states that, without action, koalas are on track to become extinct in the wild in NSW by 2050.

Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe, said, “The Great Koala National Park has been a dream for more than a decade. It will ensure koalas survive into the future so our grandchildren will still be able to see them in the wild.

“These amazing old-growth forests are among the world’s top biodiversity hotspots – home to more than 100 threatened species including greater gliders, the powerful owl and yellow-bellied gliders.”

The park will reserve 176,000 hectares of state forest and connect with existing national parks to create a 476,000-hectare reserve – one of the largest in NSW.

(The Bongil Bongil National Park. Photo: supplied)

This park will protect more than 12,000 koalas, 36,000 Greater Gliders and habitat for over 100 other threatened species. 

The Government has imposed a temporary moratorium, effective Monday, 8 September 2025, on timber harvesting within the proposed park boundary. It says it has planned carefully and will stand with affected workers, businesses and communities every step of the way, which is why it announced comprehensive assistance for impacted businesses and workers.

The immediate temporary moratorium will have an impact on 6 out of more than 25 timber mills in the region and approximately 300 jobs.

Assistance includes JobKeeper-style payments to support workers by covering salaries, and also financial assistance towards business operating costs.

As well as financial payments to cover salaries, workers and their families will have immediate free access to mental health, financial and legal counselling services and training support.

The Government has contacted every impacted mill and will now commence discussions with them about their long-term options and ensure appropriate support for workers.

The Government recognises there will be challenges as the transition begins and is committed to working with local communities every step of the way.

The NSW Government has also committed $6 million to support new opportunities for tourism and small businesses on the Mid North Coast, with the package to be developed in consultation with local communities to grow jobs and investment as the Great Koala National Park is established.

Premier of NSW, Chris Minns, said, “Koalas are at risk of extinction in the wild in NSW – that’s unthinkable. The Great Koala National Park is about turning that around.

“We’ve listened carefully and we’re making sure workers, businesses and communities are supported every step of the way.”

(Inside the Bindarri National Park. Photo:supplied)

An additional $60 million in funding is being announced for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to support the establishment of the park. This is in addition to the $80 million announced in 2023.

The final creation of the park is dependent on the successful registration of a carbon project under the Improved Native Forest Management Method, which is currently moving through the Federal Government assessment processes.

Today's announcement follows extensive consultation with industry and community stakeholders, as well as a comprehensive expert assessment process.

The Great Koala National Park will not end forestry on the North Coast. The Independent Forestry Panel is continuing to provide advice to the Government to inform the Forestry Industry Action Plan. 

Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty said, “Our government’s priority is to fully support impacted workers with payments and services during this major change.

“That is why we will provide financial assistance to businesses we know will be impacted, so they can continue to pay their staff’s salaries and cover costs.

“We are committed to a sustainable forestry industry in NSW.”

Minister for the North Coast and Minister for Small Business, Janelle Saffin said, “We are delivering on our election promise to deliver the Great Koala National Park for the North Coast.

“This will deliver the protection of our most precious and loved species, our koalas, that everyone in NSW wants to see protected; and the Greater Koala National Park will also provide an economic boon for locals and businesses alike. 

“It is important to work together to ensure no one is left behind. We will be supporting impacted workers, businesses, communities and industry to maximise opportunities as we deliver the Great Koala National Park.

“I am committed to ensure that our forest workers and small business forest operators are supported economically and emotionally through this change.”

Information is available online, via www.nsw.gov.au/greatkoalanationalpark.