New National Park to save NSW koalas
By Ashmeeta Subra 18 September 2025
The New South Wales Government has announced it will establish the Great Koala National Park to protect vital koala habitat and help lift the species off the threatened list by 2050.
The new park will reserve 176,000 hectares of state forest and connect with existing national parks to create a 476,000-hectare network of protected habitat. This reserve is expected to safeguard more than 12,000 koalas, 36,000 greater gliders, and provide habitat for over 100 other threatened species.
Conservationists have welcomed the announcement as a significant step for biodiversity. The concept of a Great Koala National Park was first proposed more than a decade ago. Since then, koala ecologists, conservation groups and many local communities and businesses have collectively advocated for its creation.
Research shows that climate change including rising temperatures and reduced rainfall endangers the trees koalas rely on for food and shelter. Extreme weather events also place direct physical stress on koalas. Combined, these pressures can make them more susceptible to disease.
“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,” Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe said in a press release.
As part of the park’s rollout, logging will be phased out in selected areas, with a transition plan in place to support affected workers and communities.
To support local communities, the NSW Government has committed $6 million for new tourism and small business opportunities on the Mid North Coast. The package will be developed in consultation with locals to create jobs and encourage investment as the Great Koala National Park is established.
An additional $60 million in funding has also been announced for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to help establish the park, on top of the $80 million announced in 2023.
Planet Ark does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the original information and encourages readers to check the references before using this information for their own purposes.
With background in international relations and marketing communications, Ashmeeta is excited to use her skills to encourage positive environmental actions through Planet Ark. She believes that by taking small actions, we can help make a big difference and be good stewards of our planet. She also loves spending time in nature and being at the beach.
