What's happening
The NSW Government has updated the boundary for the proposed Great Koala National Park (GKNP).
Taking steps to create a national park on the Mid North Coast is a direct response to the need to conserve and protect the state’s endangered koala population as well as many other threatened fauna species in the region.
The potential new reserves will permanently protect high-quality koala habitat and an estimated population of between 10,300 and 14,540 koalas.
In addition to koalas, 66 other threatened fauna and flora species have been recorded in the assessment area in the past 30 years. This represents just over 22% of threatened fauna species in NSW (excluding marine mammals). Notably, 44% of the threatened mammal species in NSW have also been recorded in the assessment area. Read the full threatened species list (PDF 465.77KB).
Refining the boundaries of the proposed Great Koala National Park
- The NSW Government has updated the proposed boundary for the Great Koala National Park.
- The refined boundary supports effective long-term management, makes park operations simpler, and strengthens protection for koalas and other native and threatened species.
- The NSW Government has kept small buffers of native state forest outside the proposed park boundary where those buffers are needed for safe plantation access and operations. These buffers will be permanently placed in non-harvest zones, ensuring they will not be harvested in the future.
- The proposed park now includes areas of native forest, isolated plantations without practical access and existing conservation areas such as flora reserves to maintain and enhance the overall conservation footprint
- The NSW Government may need to make further minor refinements to the boundary before the park is finalised.
Carbon benefits
The final creation of the park is dependent on the successful registration of a carbon project under the Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) Method. Read more about developing the carbon method.
Temporary moratorium on timber harvesting
A temporary moratorium on timber harvesting in State forests identified to become part of the new national park remains in place while key elements of this transition are finalised. This means that all harvesting operations have ceased, and no new operations will commence.
Private native forestry is still permitted with appropriate approvals.
Support for timber industry businesses and workers
The NSW Government is working directly with businesses and workers affected by the reduction in timber supply resulting from the moratorium .moratorium. Read more on these programs
Mental health, counselling and training services are also available to workers of impacted businesses. Find out more on the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website.
Support available for impacted workers
The NSW Government is working directly with businesses and staff that are affected by the reduction in timber supply resulting from the moratorium.
More about support and resources
Transition plan and support for workers and industry
Information on the timber industry moratorium, worker support, and long-term transition planning.
GKNP Resources
Easily downloadable and shareable information that you can share with your audiences and communities.
More about the Great Koala National Park
In 2022, the NSW Independent Scientific Committee and the Australian Government listed koalas in NSW as endangered. A NSW Legislative Council Committee Inquiry also found that, without urgent action to protect habitat and reduce threats, koalas could become extinct in NSW before 2050. The Inquiry recommended creating a Great Koala National Park.
The Great Koala National Park will protect large areas of connected, high-quality habitat for koalas. It will also help other threatened species, including southern greater gliders, glossy black cockatoos and spider orchids. Read the full threatened species list (PDF 465.77KB).
Between April and July 2024, teams carried out drone surveys across the assessment area. A team of 26 pilots flew more than 4,000 km at night.
The surveys estimate between 10,311 and 14,541 koalas, with an average of 12,111.
The NSW Government has started a temporary moratorium on timber harvesting in state forests planned for the new national park. This means all current harvesting in the assessment area (PDF 58.94KB) has stopped, and no new operations will start.
The Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals (IFOA), under the NSW Forestry Policy Framework (NSW Forestry Policy Framework), regulate timber harvesting in NSW. These rules set strict standards to keep timber production sustainable.
The moratorium only applies to timber harvesting. Existing recreational and commercial uses will continue, with no changes to licences or permits.
Areas outside the assessment area will continue under normal management.
The proposed park will not significantly affect housing supply. More than 90% of timber used in housing comes from softwood plantations, not native forests. The remaining 10% is used for products like decking, panelling and flooring.
The NSW Government recognises that people use these forests in many ways. During the moratorium, permit and licence holders will not see any changes, and existing approvals will stay in place.
NPWS will work with permit holders and licensees on future arrangements. If the land becomes a national park, most current uses will continue.
The Government assessed 176,000 hectares of native state forest to develop the Great Koala National Park. It excluded state forest plantations.
The process included 3 key steps:
- an independent assessment of impacts on jobs and communities
- advice from industry, community and Aboriginal advisory panels
- expert environmental and cultural heritage assessments.
The Government set up three advisory panels to guide the process. These panels included community, Aboriginal and industry representatives.
NPWS also consulted with state forest users, such as recreational users and commercial operators.
There will be more opportunities for people to give feedback. The Government will keep working with users to decide how to manage the park and how existing uses can continue. An Aboriginal advisory group will continue to guide future management, including joint management.
The Great Koala National Park will include selected state forests only.
State forest plantations have not been assessed as part of the Great Koala National Park proposal. Some small areas of inaccessible and unviable plantation will be included in the park to help rationalise park boundaries and improve long-term manageability. This will not have a significant impact on supply.
The proposed park will not include private land. The NSW Government continues to protect koala habitat on private land through the NSW Koala Strategy.
Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti Aboriginal people helped inform the NSW Government’s decision. Their advice will help guide future management.
The proposed park will support Closing the Gap targets by:
- creating joint management arrangements
- employing Aboriginal staff
- working with Aboriginal businesses
- supporting cultural practices.
Key actions include:
- employing NPWS staff, including 15% identified and/or targeted roles
- funding Aboriginal rangers and community projects to support Aboriginal aspirations for the Great Koala National Park.
Creating the Great Koala National Park will change how the land is managed. Timber harvesting will stop. Forests will grow for longer and store more carbon. This will also reduce emissions from logging.
The Government is looking at carbon revenue to support local communities, jobs and park management.
As part of this work, the Government is developing an Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) method under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 (Cwth).
The Australian Government is reviewing this method. If approved, the park could create carbon credits (ACCUs). These credits could support economic development, park management and future infrastructure.
All national parks use a plan of management. The Government will consult widely with the community to shape this plan.
Existing users and recreational groups will help decide how the park is managed and what activities can continue.