Major New National Park Protects Koala Habitat

Australia has established a 478,000-hectare national park to protect koalas, native forests, and more than 100 species of plants and animals, following more than a decade of conservation efforts.

“This is a defining moment for conservation in NSW,” says Penny Sharpe, New South Wales Environment Minister. “We are protecting extraordinary forests … while ensuring future generations can enjoy these incredible places.”

The Great Koala National Park, now the second-largest national park in New South Wales, combines existing protected areas with more than 178,000 hectares of state forests and Crown land. Over 117,000 hectares have also been registered for carbon protection, helping preserve forests and their carbon stores by ending native forest logging in designated areas. The park’s creation follows more than ten years of campaigning, extensive environmental assessments and public consultation, securing vital habitat for koalas and other native wildlife for future generations.