Full Breakdown
Great Koala National Park Legislation Marks Historic Conservation Shift in NSW
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Passage of the Great Koala National Park Bill
On October 22, 2026, the New South Wales Parliament approved the National Park Estate (Great Koala National Park Reservations) Bill 2026. The legislation adds more than 178,000 hectares of former state forest and Crown land to existing protected areas, creating a contiguous reserve of over 475,000 hectares on the Mid North Coast. It also formalises a carbon-credit project covering 117,000 hectares, ending native-forest logging in the designated zone.
Background & Context
Labor’s promise to create a large koala sanctuary was first floated in the 2015 and 2019 state elections and fulfilled after the party won government in 2023. A decade of lobbying by conservation groups, First Nations communities, and local residents culminated in the current legislation. Federal approval for carbon credits was a decisive factor.
Data & Statistics
- 12,000 koalas and 36,000 greater gliders are projected to gain long-term habitat protection (WWF-Australia).
- The park will safeguard more than 100 threatened species.
- Native-forest timber harvest across NSW is expected to fall by ?20 %, a permanent reduction.
- The Clean Energy Regulator registered the carbon-credit project for 117,000 hectares of forest.
- The Forestry Corporation of NSW announced the loss of over 30 jobs in Coffs Harbour linked to the park’s creation.
Official Statements & Responses
Premier Chris Minns was thanked by WWF-Australia for delivering on the election commitment. The NSW Government highlighted a transition package for timber workers, including retraining and redeployment of affected Forestry Corporation staff to the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Criticism & Opposition
Timber New South Wales president Andrew Hurford warned that the logging ban has caused “staff layoffs” and a slowdown for downstream industries. North Coast Nationals MPs Gurmesh Singh, Richie Williamson, and Michael Kemp labelled the park a “Great Carbon Credit National Park,” suggesting the primary driver was carbon financing rather than koala protection.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is a historic win for koalas, forests and the communities who have been fighting for their protection,” — Dermot O’Gorman, WWF-Australia CEO
- “From bushwalking and canoeing to mountain-bike riding and camping, we’ve listened to how people want to enjoy the park and we’re making sure that while we save koalas, the Great Koala National Park can also be a world-class area for recreation,” — Environment Minister
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the primary motivation behind the legislation. Conservation advocates call for further scientific assessments of koala populations and broader consultation with First Nations groups, which the legislation does not yet detail.
What’s Next
The Clean Energy Regulator’s registration enables the carbon-credit scheme to generate revenue for park management. The NSW Government will reassign affected Forestry Corporation staff to the National Parks and Wildlife Service and continue the transition package for timber workers. Conservation groups have urged a World Heritage nomination for the park and expanded joint-management arrangements with the Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti peoples.