Recreation and conservation have emerged as top priorities for the community from extensive consultation on the proposed Great Koala National Park.
The What We Heard report has been released, summarising feedback from members of the public about how they currently use the area, and what they envisage for the park in the future.
It reveals people in the local region and across NSW widely appreciate the area for its recreation opportunities, outstanding conservation values, natural beauty and wellbeing benefits.
There is strong support for improved protection for koalas and other threatened species while also ensuring that a broad range of recreational uses are available in the park.
This aligns with the Minns Labor Government’s vision for the Great Koala National Park to be one of the most significant conservation initiatives in NSW as well as a must-see destination attracting visitors and contributing to the local economy.
Key feedback themes include:
- How people use the area: Bushwalking is the most popular activity, alongside camping, sightseeing, wildlife watching, four-wheel driving, swimming, mountain biking and trail bike riding.
- What people value most: Protecting habitat and wildlife, while continuing opportunities for a wide range of recreational activities people currently enjoy.
- Ideas for the future park: Upgraded trails and infrastructure, new recreation opportunities, supporting education, exploring tourism and nature-based experiences and ongoing community involvement.
The consultation is one of the largest ever undertaken for a new national park. It attracted around 4,000 survey responses and involved more than 70 face-to-face meetings, group forums, community events and online sessions.
The What We Heard report will be used to inform reserve categories and future management. This is not the end of the consultation: collaboration with Aboriginal stakeholders, neighbours, councils, tourism operators, recreation and conservation groups is ongoing.
The NSW Government is working to register a carbon project for the Great Koala National park with the Clean Energy Regulator. The creation of the Park is conditional on the successful registration of this project.
The What We Heard report is available here: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/publications/what-we-heard-report-proposed-great-koala-national-park-community-consultation
Acting Minister for the Environment Jihad Dib said:
“Creating the Great Koala National Park is about protecting the future of koalas in the wild, safeguarding some of their best habitat in NSW while giving locals and visitors the chance to enjoy a world-class park.
“We appreciate the strong community input and we are listening carefully. Through consultation the feedback is that people want the park to deliver great opportunities for recreation and nature-based experiences.”
Minister for North Coast Janelle Saffin said:
“This report shows we can absolutely protect our environment while also backing our local economy.
“Our community has spoken loud and clear: they want a park that is active, accessible, and alive with recreation.
“By listening to the 4,000 people who engaged with this survey, we are designing a world-class destination that keeps the outdoor activities locals love, while unlocking economic opportunities for our regional businesses, tour operators, and our hospitality sector.
“Local voices are driving this process, and that’s exactly how it should be.”