NSW koala conservation area threatened with logging

A plan to create The Great National Park for koalas near Coffs Harbour is under threat with most of the land listed for logging in the next nine months.

The Australian Reptile Park and the NSW National Parks Association are trying to create a 315,000 hectare koala park, which would house 20% of NSW’s remaining wild koalas.

It would be made up of 175,000 hectares of state forest, and 140,000 hectares of existing protected land.

However, logging plans show 83 compartments of this land will be lost.

According to NSW National Parks Association Chief Executive Kevin Evans, if the park does not go ahead, the koala could be extinct in NSW by 2050.

Evans said the two groups were trying to quickly raise awareness among  communities and the state government to stop the land from being lost, explaining "our work will provide the NSW Government with a compelling case and the tools they require to move ahead with the establishment of The Great Koala National Park, whilst also demonstrating the substantial economic and recreational benefits for local communities."

The Australian Reptile Park is using its small koala breeding program to show visitors the importance of protecting all of the koalas in the wild.

It hopes the visitors will spread the word and donate to help lobby the NSW Government.

Australian Reptile Park General Manager Tim Faulkner adds "similar to our own conservation efforts with the Tasmanian Devil, donations are needed to protect the species, as there is a lot of red tape to overcome in preserving land for native animals."

Evans believes that the creation of the Great National Park would boost tourism and recreation opportunities would benefit communities including Bellingen, Coffs Harbour and Dorrigo.

For more information or to make a donation visit www.pozi.be/koalapark.

6th June 2015 - AUSTRALIAN NATIVE MAMMALS TO BE REINTRODUCED TO NSW

11th January 2015 - NSW GOVERNMENT FUNDING TO PROTECT THREATENED NATIVE SPECIES

29th November 2014 - WILDENDURANCE EVENT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR KOALA PROTECTION

20th August 2014 - FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPOINTS COMMISSIONER FOR THREATENED SPECIES

20th April 2014 - ROYAL COUPLE OPEN TARONGA ZOO BILBY EXHIBIT

13th May 2012 - FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PROTECTION OF NSW KOALAS

28th July 2010 - WILDLIFE ARK TO BE CREATED IN HUNTER VALLEY 

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