James Sherwood, Conservation Campaigner
Members of the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) gathered in Bongil Bongil National Park on the Coffs Coast in September, to celebrate a landmark moment in nature conservation, the announcement of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP).
More than a hundred community and environmental leaders joined NPA representatives, including CEO Gary Dunnett and Coffs Coast President Grahame Douglas, to acknowledge the collective achievement of decades of science-based advocacy and grassroots effort.
Spanning 476,000 hectares, including 176,000 hectares of former state forests now protected from logging, the GKNP expands the national park estate on the Mid North Coast by 25 per cent. It will safeguard habitat for up to 20 per cent of NSW’s remaining wild koalas, making it one of the most significant conservation gains in the state’s history.
Mr Dunnett said the park represents a transformative moment for conservation in NSW and a testament to the persistence of the NPA community.
“The Great Koala National Park reflects what’s possible when science, community and political will align. 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 expressed gratitude to the NSW Government and Environment Minister for acting on the evidence and recognising the ecological and social value of protecting these forests.
“We thank the Minister for her support of the GKNP and for understanding the importance of this decision in such a holistic way. The tourism potential and long-term community benefits this park represents are enormous. We also acknowledge the challenges faced by logging families whose livelihoods have been deeply tied to these forests.”
While the announcement marks a major victory, both Douglas and Dunnett emphasised that the real work begins now, ensuring the park is effectively managed and restored to become a connected, resilient forest ecosystem.
Joining the celebration, Greens MLC Sue Higginson reflected on the community’s long struggle and ongoing commitment:
“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.”
For NPA members, the creation of the Great Koala National Park is not only a campaign success but a shared legacy and a renewed call to action to ensure the park delivers lasting protection for koalas, forests and all the life they support. NPA Coffs Branch members and supporters join with other local environment groups to celebrate the Great Koala NP announcement..Photo credit: The Canopy Keepers project/ A Lush Forest Media