THE National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) hosted 100 community and environmental leaders from across the North Coast to celebrate the announcement of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP).
Among those gathered in Bongil Bongil National Park south of Coffs Harbour last Saturday, 27 September, were NPA CEO Gary Dunnett, Greens MLC Sue Higginson, councillors from three LGAs and representatives and members of the North East Forest Alliance, Nambucca Valley Conservation Association and Bellingen Environment Centre.
The 476,000 hectare park, which includes 176,000 hectares of former state forests – now protected – will increase the National Parks estate on the Mid North Coast by 25 percent and provide sanctuary for up to 20 percent of NSW’s remaining wild koalas.
Ms Higginson said, “We celebrated this incredible victory, the culmination of so much work, by so many people, over such a long time.
“The feeling of joy and relief was palpable.
“Like all of these wins, the work is not over and in many ways it’s just begun.”
She said the GKNP requires lots of work and ongoing management to make it the healthy functional forest ecosystem network that it once was.
Mr Dunnett agreed, “The Great Koala National Park represents a transformative moment for conservation in NSW.
“This deeply collaborative effort brought together community groups, scientists, businesses, and countless individuals who refused to give up on protecting the best koala habitat in the world.
“This park will be a legacy for generations to come.”
NPA Coffs Coast President Grahame Douglas, said, “We want to thank the Minister for Environment for her support of the GKNP, and indeed thanks to the NSW Government for considering the science and understanding the importance of this decision in such a holistic way.
“The tourism potential this park represents is demonstrated in spades by the scale of this commitment.
“We acknowledge this has been a tough process for all involved, including logging families whose livelihoods have been deeply connected to this industry.”
Nambucca Valley Councillor Ljubov Simson said, “Celebrating today alongside members of our community dedicated to the preservation of our forests, habitat and biodiversity reinforces the importance of working together as custodians and stewards of the land and its people for our sustainable future.”
By Andrew VIVIAN
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
