Overview
- The plan adds 176,000 hectares to existing reserves to form a protected area of more than 476,000 hectares between Coffs Harbour and Kempsey.
- Logging stops immediately, with A$140 million committed to establish the park and a further A$6 million for local tourism and small businesses.
- Authorities say the protected area could shelter more than 12,000 koalas, 36,000 greater gliders and over 100 other threatened species.
- Six timber mills employing about 300 people are affected, drawing union and industry criticism over the park’s size, while the government promises worker support.
- Final implementation requires federal sign-off, conservation groups including WWF back the plan, and population estimates remain contested between official figures and the Australian Koala Foundation.