The process of establishing the park will involve 3 key components:
- An independent economic and social assessment to consider the impacts on local jobs and communities
- The establishment of industry, community and Aboriginal advisory panels to provide input to the assessment process and creation of the park
- Expert environmental and cultural heritage assessments to safeguard the region’s unique environmental and cultural heritage and ensure the Great Koala National Park aligns with the highest standards of environmental protection and respect for cultural heritage.
The area of state forest to be assessed for declaration as a Great Koala National Park is up to approximately 176,000 hectares, noting as maps are being refined there could be fluctuations on that figure. Areas of the existing national park estate will also be included in the park.
The final footprint of the Great Koala National Park will be determined as part of a comprehensive assessment and engagement process outlined above.
If you have information relevant to the assessment process you can email gknp@environment.nsw.gov.au. Please note emails will be considered but may not be responded to.
While the assessment work is underway, the NSW Government has implemented a halt to timber harvesting operations within designated koala hubs located in the Great Koala National Park assessment area. Koala hubs are areas with strong evidence of multi-generational, high density koala populations.
Great Koala National Park advisory panels
Three advisory panels have been established to provide input to the assessment process and creation of the park.
The advisory panels, which represent the views of the community, Aboriginal groups and industry, will give feedback on the process of assessing land for inclusion in the national park. They will also provide information on economic, social, ecological and cultural matters.
The panels have been established and will meet regularly throughout the assessment process.