This month marks an important moment for wildlife conservation in New South Wales with the announcement of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP). Spanning 176,000 hectares of forests on Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti Country, the park will protect an estimated 12,000 koalas, 36,000 greater gliders, and countless other species. The creation of the GKNP is one of the most significant conservation achievements in decades, made possible through the persistence of communities and advocacy groups who refused to give up.
The vision for the Great Koala National Park is to establish a world-class network of protected areas prioritising koala conservation and habitat connectivity. The park also aims to support nature-based tourism, foster a diverse and resilient regional economy, and assist the NSW hardwood industry in transitioning towards a sustainable plantation-based model on the Mid North Coast.
A community that never gave up
We know people like this as well, they are right here at Friends of the Koala. One outstanding example is Meredith Stanton who held daily vigils at Clouds Creek State Forest near Coffs Harbour, determined to prevent logging in critical koala habitat. Community members dedication paid off: Clouds Creek is now permanently protected within the GKNP. Similar grassroots efforts took place across the region, including Little Newry, Boambee, and Orara East and West forests, helping ensure that ancient trees and vital habitats remained standing until formal protection could be secured. Inside the Great Koala National Park, SMH.
From Idea to Reality
The concept for a koala national park began in 2010 when ecologist Ashley Love, now regarded as the “godfather” of the GKNP, first proposed the idea. By 2015, NSW Labor adopted the proposal as policy, naming it after the species it was created to protect. A decade later, this vision has become a reality. Environment Minister Penny Sharpe describes it as a landmark decision that builds on past reforms while securing a future for koalas.
A long and often frustrating road
The journey to establish the GKNP has been one of hope and frustration. For decades, local forests faced ongoing threats from logging, placing koalas, greater gliders, and numerous other species at risk. Even after political promises, thousands of hectares were still being cleared. Without continuous advocacy and demands for protection and fullfilment of these promises, we wouldn’t have reached the milestone win for wildlife. Many environmentalists, community members and advocacy groups were outraged as important koala habitat was destroyed during the decision-making process.
Balancing conservation and jobs
While approximately 200–300 timber jobs will be affected, the creation of the park will generate around 100 new positions within the National Parks and Wildlife Service, along with additional opportunities in tourism, conservation, and Indigenous-led land management. Ecotourism operators are already preparing to expand, and the government has committed $6 million to support the regional economic transition. By providing new avenues for employment while safeguarding vital ecosystems, the park balances environmental protection with sustainable economic growth.
Honouring country and culture
The new national park acknowledges the deep connection of First Nations peoples to these landscapes. Dedicated Aboriginal cultural heritage ranger roles and Indigenous-led land management initiatives will ensure traditional knowledge continues to guide the care of Country. As Gumbaynggirr elder Uncle Allan Phillips notes, this is not only about protecting forests and wildlife – it’s about creating opportunities for young people, supporting community enterprises, and carrying forward ancient knowledge.
A symbol of hope
The Great Koala National Park represents more than a conservation achievement. It is proof that persistent grassroots action, guided by science and culture, can deliver lasting change. It is a place where koalas, gliders, cockatoos, and countless other species will have a chance to thrive – and a reminder that when communities unite to protect what they love, the future can be brighter for all.
Koalas are still under threat
While the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) provides a vital stronghold for koalas in NSW and marks a landmark achievement in conservation it is only part of the equasion. There are of course, many more koala populations outside the park in fragmented forests, urban edges, and private lands, where they remain vulnerable to habitat loss. Ongoing conservation efforts beyond the park’s boundaries are therefore essential and the park should not be used as an excuse to decimate wildlife areas elsewhere in NSW.
Koalas continue to face multiple threats, including disease such as chlamydia, vehicle strikes, dog attacks, and the impacts of climate change. Protecting a large area within the park helps maintain habitat connectivity, but isolated populations elsewhere may still experience low genetic diversity and local extinction risks.
The establishment of the GKNP is just the first step. A very good first step, but never the less, just the beginning. Long-term survival will depend on active habitat restoration, monitoring, and management, as well as collaboration with local communities and Indigenous rangers to safeguard koalas across their broader landscape.
