Breaking News:
We're delivering The Great Koala National Park.
On Sunday the Minns Labor Government announced the start of the creation of the Great Koala National Park. We have announced an immediate moratorium to timber harvesting in the region that will help make up the almost 500,000 hectare National Park.
The GKNP will reserve 176,000 hectares of state forest and connect with existing national parks to create a 476,000-hectare reserve – one of the largest in NSW.
Koalas are on track to be extinct in the wild by 2050 without action. This will protect more than 12,000 koalas in the region, and the habitat for 100 other threatened species and precious old-growth forests.
Our grandchildren will be able to visit this National Park forever. They will be able to walk amongst the giant old growth trees and see koalas living in the wild.
Importantly, the Great Koala National Park will be an important tourism drawcard and anchor for nature-based tourism in the Mid-North Coast. It will pull in tourists from around the world and will be a ‘must see’ destination.
The Minns Labor Government knows this will have an impact on forestry jobs in the region. We are committed to doing this right. The government is launching a transition package to support workers, industry and community both during the initial moratorium, and for longer term structural adjustment.
Proposed Great Koala National Park
The immediate temporary moratorium will have an impact on 6 out of more than 25 timber mills in the region and approximately 300 jobs.
Assistance includes JobKeeper-style payments to support workers by covering salaries, and also financial assistance towards business operating costs.
In addition to financial payments that cover salaries, workers and their families will have immediate free access to mental health, financial and legal counselling services as well as training support.
The Government has contacted every impacted mill and will now commence discussions with them about their long-term options and ensure appropriate support for workers.
The Government recognises there will be challenges as the transition begins and is committed to working with local communities every step of the way.
This is in addition to the $120 million funding for the establishment of the park.
The park will result in the creation of more than 100 jobs with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Affected Forestry Corporation workers will have the priority to be able to move into roles with National Parks if they choose to.
Getting the process right in creating this park has taken time. I want to thank everyone who has contacted me about this issue and had patience while we covered every issue prior to today.
The creation of The Great Koala National Park is not only a fulfillment of our 2023 election promise, it is a victory for First Nations people, scientists and activists who have tirelessly advocated for the protection of our beloved koalas and hundreds of other native species.
Thank you to everyone from our community who campaigned hard to make this vision a reality.
