NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Great Koala National Park project update – December 2025

Welcome to the first Great Koala National Park newsletter!

You are receiving this email because you registered your interest on the Great Koala National Park project webpage, are a member of a special interest group or have been identified as a key stakeholder.

We thank you for your interest in the proposed Great Koala National Park and welcome your involvement as the project progresses.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Great Koala National Park is in the ancestral lands of the Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti Aboriginal Peoples.

We would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present and future.

Contents:

• Community consultation and engagement
• Engagement with Aboriginal custodians
• Types of protected areas in NSW
• Conservation snapshot - Assets of Intergenerational Significance (AIS)
• Fire planning and management
• Registering a carbon project
• Next steps
• For more information

Community consultation and engagement

The NSW Government announced the proposed boundary for the Great Koala National Park in early September 2025 as 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.

Since then, we have been proactively engaging and consulting with key stakeholders, special interest groups and recreational clubs. We are listening and learning to better understand the values of different user and interest groups while also providing more details regarding future management considerations and our values and vision for a future Great Koala National Park.

 In the last two months, we have:

• Hosted face-to-face meetings with local recreational clubs including 4WD clubs, mountain biking clubs, hiking/bushwalking and trail runners’ clubs, horse riding and trail riding clubs, archery and gun clubs, a local motorbike/ trail bike business and the Coffs Harbour sporting car club
• Briefed the five Local Government Areas within the proposed boundary of the Great Koala National Park – Clarence Valley Council, Kempsey Shire Council, City of Coffs Harbour, Bellingen Shire Council and Nambucca Valley Council
• Engaged with other key stakeholders including the local and district NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS)
• Updated key environmental groups and organisations

  Examples of some of the recreational activities occurring within the proposed park

Through these meetings and conversations, we have started to establish and map the various activities occurring within the 43 State forests as well as the 33 existing NPWS reserves within the proposed Great Koala National Park footprint. This information will help to inform future management arrangements, and we look forward to continuing the conversation as work to establish the Great Koala National Park progresses.

DID YOU KNOW?

A large number of recreational activities are permitted in national parks across the state, and many will be accommodated in the Great Koala National Park.

We know where the highest levels of conservation significance are, and we are also learning about where significant Aboriginal cultural values are located. We will be able to overlay the information we are gaining from the community and from Aboriginal custodians to strike the right balance between existing use, conservation and cultural values.

There are no changes to existing recreational uses in State forests during the timber harvesting moratorium.

If you are a special interest group who would like the opportunity to meet with local NPWS staff to discuss the Great Koala National Park, please email: gknp@environment.nsw.gov.au.

Register of Interest

The Great Koala National Park webpage on the Environment and Heritage website was launched on the day of the Government announcement. To date, we have received 280 responses from members of the community who have also shared their interest in the project and how they use the area for a range of recreational purposes. This has provided us with further insights about community values and activities.

Engagement with Aboriginal Custodians

NPWS received advice from Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti Aboriginal people which helped to inform the Government’s decision on the Great Koala National Park. The Aboriginal Advisory Panel developed a Position Statement, Principles of Respect and Recognition and Testimonials to communicate their support for the Great Koala National Park and aspirations for Aboriginal employment, socio-economic and cultural benefits. 

The Aboriginal Advisory Panel will continue to work with NPWS and provide advice on future management of the Great Koala National Park. This partnership will ensure the proposed Great Koala National Park:

• supports the aspirations of Aboriginal people
• supports the engagement of Aboriginal businesses
• supports traditional cultural practices on park
• supports input from Aboriginal custodians into the naming of any new reserves
• considers mechanisms to protect Aboriginal cultural values and sites 

Types of protected areas in NSW

The protected area network in New South Wales includes a range of habitats and ecosystems, a diversity of plant and animal species, significant geological features and landforms, as well as Aboriginal cultural heritage sites, heritage buildings and historic sites.

DID YOU KNOW?

There are more than 895 national parks and reserves in NSW that are managed by NPWS and about one third of the reserve system is jointly managed with Aboriginal people.

There are different categories of protected areas which guide the management of each area according to its different natural, cultural and social values. For example, areas of high conservation value or that are more fragile and need a higher level of protection may be classed as Nature Reserves. Areas that are more resilient to different types of human activity may be classed as a Regional Park.

Types of protected areas in NSW include:

• National parks  
• Nature reserves                      
• Regional parks                                                                    
• State conservation areas             
• Aboriginal areas                                                                
• Historic sites
• Karst Conservation reserves                                          
• Flora reserves  
• Wilderness                                                                          
• Community conservation areas
• Wild Rivers                                                                          
• World Heritage Areas

Will the entire area within the proposed boundary be national park?

The Great Koala National Park is an umbrella term that will be used to refer to the entire area within the proposed boundary.  Within this footprint, there will be a range of different reserve types.

Not all of the protected area categories listed above will apply to the Great Koala National Park. Management decisions that will inform reserve types for the proposed Great Koala National Park will be determined following further consultation with Aboriginal custodians, special interest groups and the broader community.

For more information about the types of protected areas in NSW, visit the NPWS website: Types of NSW national parks | NSW National Parks.

Urumbilum River, Bindarri National Park 

Conservation snapshot – Assets of Intergenerational Significance (AIS)

Assets of Intergenerational Significance (AIS) offer the strongest protection for an area with exceptional environmental and cultural values in NSW national parks, like important habitat for iconic species such as the koala, Wollemi pine and the greater bilby.

AIS mean we have increased ability to prioritise management at these sites and identify emerging risks to threatened species so rapid interventions can take place. AIS plays a critical role in meeting our zero extinction objectives. More details can be found here: Threatened Species Framework for zero extinctions | NSW National Parks.

Across NPWS North Coast Branch, an AIS has been declared for 30 species across 78 sites. Within the proposed boundary of the Great Koala National Park, there is an AIS for four species across five sites, including:

• Koala - Bongil Bongil National Park and Bindarri National Park
• Rufous scrub-bird - New England National Park ​
• Mountain Angelica - New England National Park
• Green Waxberry - New England National Park

Koala

To date we have undertaken drone surveys and completed koala and greater glider abundance modelling. The assessment process highlighted that over 100 threatened plant and animal species have been recorded in the proposed Great Koala National Park over the last 30 years.

Our next steps are to complete further analysis and additional surveys and consolidate koala abundance models across our reserves and State forests within the proposed Great Koala National Park footprint. We will also prepare AIS nominations (the Rufous scrub-bird and Newry Golden Wattle are good candidates) and develop dedicated Conservation Action Plans. 

Left: Rufous scrub-bird. Right: Newry Golden Wattle

Further updates will be provided as this work progresses. Visit the NPWS website for more information: Conservation: Assets of Intergenerational Significance (AIS) | NSW National Parks.

Fire planning and management

NPWS is both a key firefighting authority and a land manager in NSW. The protected areas we manage play a critical role in conserving biodiversity, as well as natural and cultural heritage. Fire management is one of the most important tasks in managing protected areas and hazard reduction is central to the NPWS fire management program.

Working closely with the RFS and other agencies, NPWS delivers over 75% of the area treated via hazard reduction burning across NSW. NPWS continues to focus on hazard reduction treatment in high-risk areas in proximity to communities and key assets, targeting Asset Protection Zones (APZs) and Strategic Fire Advantage Zones (SFAZs).

Asset Protections Zones (APZs) and Strategic Fire Advantage Zones (SFAZs)

APZs are an area of cleared or reduced vegetation between assets, like homes, and the neighbouring bush. These areas are usually intensively managed to maintain a moderate or lower overall fuel hazard. The protection of life and property takes precedence over biodiversity conservation in these zones.

The aim of a SFAZ is to reduce fire intensity across larger areas by maintaining an overall fuel hazard at high or below. This is mostly done using prescribed burning. Biodiversity conservation takes precedence where practical.

DID YOU KNOW?

NPWS are specialists in rapid and remote bush firefighting, and we have access to more than 1,200 trained firefighters across the state. Less than 5% of fires state-wide start in national parks.

In 2024-25, 96% of bushfires that started on NPWS-managed land were contained in the park boundary and 80% of fires starting on park were restricted to less than 10 hectares. In the same period, NPWS staff assisted with an additional 57 bushfires occurring off NPWS-managed lands.

Fire management preparedness for the proposed Great Koala National Park

We are taking fire management readiness for the proposed Great Koala National Park very seriously and have been doing a significant amount of work to prepare. To date, work includes:

• Spatially reviewing the 176,000 hectares proposed for the Great Koala National Park for fire management planning purposes, considering fire history, fire pathways, fire sources, risks (built and environmental), vegetation types, and current management infrastructure
• Briefing the RFS District Managers and Area Commander to outline our plans and seek input
• Developing a draft Bushire Management Zoning Plan and draft Burn Program
• Undertaking assessments of known APZs within the proposed park boundary and identifying additional areas in partnership with the RFS
• Planning to install APZs where they are required as defined by the NSW RFS Standards for Asset Protection Zones
• Building on our current firefighting capacity including staff training and new fire management resources and equipment
• Trialling the newest technology available including wildfire satellite detection technology and other camera detection opportunities to spot fires early so firefighting agencies including RFS and NPWS can quickly respond
• Assessing fire trails to identify priority works and ensure access is maintained to treat fires that may occur
• Preparing burn plans for the 2026-27 hazard reduction season

Koala welfare is a critical consideration in all prescribed burn programs. We apply measures to minimise risks to koalas during planning and implementation, ensuring their safety remains a priority. Guidelines for considering koalas in prescribed burns are available on the Environment and Heritage website: Considering koalas in planned burns.

Fire, Yuraygir National Park 

Aboriginal fire management and cultural burning

Cultural burns are an important component of Aboriginal land management and are being used to help manage and shape the landscape in ways that are favourable for koalas and other species.

We are committed to partnering with Aboriginal people to undertake culturally informed burning and community (low risk) cultural burning on NPWS reserves and we will commence discussions with the Aboriginal community to ensure the continuation of cultural burns across the landscape earmarked for the Great Koala National Park.

Timeline

The temporary moratorium on timber harvesting will allow time for the NSW Government to undertake the work required to be able to put a Bill to Parliament to reserve the Great Koala National Park under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. Subject to progress on these matters, the Government expects to introduce legislation to establish the Great Koala National Park in late 2026.

Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) continues to be the land manager for this area during the moratorium and will continue to carry out activities like road maintenance and fire management.

Hardwood plantations are not subject to the moratorium. Private Native Forestry is still permitted with appropriate approvals from Local Land Services.

Registering a carbon project

A temporary moratorium on timber harvesting is in place within the proposed park boundary to allow time for the NSW Government to finalise key elements supporting the park’s creation.

The final creation of the park is dependent on the successful registration of a carbon project under the Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) Method, which is currently moving through Australian Government assessment processes under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme.

If the INFM method is approved and a project registered, this has the capacity to generate high integrity Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) in NSW. High integrity carbon credits are a significant opportunity for NSW to fund ongoing management of fire, feral animals and weeds. 

DID YOU KNOW?

ACCUs play a key role in helping Australia meet its climate goals, particularly in supporting the Safeguard Mechanism and contributing to net zero emissions.

• ACCUs are central to Australia's carbon market. Each ACCU represents one tonne of CO₂-equivalent emissions avoided or removed through approved projects. They contribute to net zero by offsetting emissions, driving investment in low-carbon projects, and providing a flexible pathway to emissions reduction.
• Under the Safeguard Mechanism, large industrial facilities must keep their emissions below a set baseline. ACCUs help these industries by providing a cost-effective transition, compliance flexibility, and encouraging innovation.

More information on the development of a carbon method is available here: Improved Native Forest Management in Multiple-use Public Native Forests | Park management | Environment and Heritage.

Left: Old growth. Right: Subtropical rainforest

Next steps

Over the coming months we will continue to engage and consult with local Councils, recreational user groups, special interest groups and other key stakeholders, as well as consulting more broadly with the community. This will include:

• Online survey followed by a ‘what we heard’ report
• Face to face engagement at pop-up stalls and events
• Webinars
• Direct engagement and meetings in person and online

There will be plenty more opportunity for you to get involved and have your say. We look forward to continuing the conversation.

For more information

If you would like further information about this project, please email: gknp@environment.nsw.gov.au

If you have not already registered to receive these updates, you can do so on the project webpage: Great Koala National Park | Establishing new parks | Environment and Heritage