After 14-hour debate, NSW creates Great Koala National Park to protect koalas

The 478,000-hectare park is the state's second largest and a key Labor election promise

By LineZotpaper

Published23 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

The New South Wales government has established the Great Koala National Park, the state's second-largest national park, following a marathon parliamentary debate and more than a decade of campaigning. The 478,000-hectare reserve on the Mid North Coast aims to protect koala habitat and over 100 species of flora and fauna.

The legislation passed after more than 14 hours of debate in the Legislative Council, which considered approximately 160 amendments. The park takes in a patchwork of existing national parks and more than 178,000 hectares of state forest and Crown Land between Kempsey and Grafton.

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe hailed the park as a defining moment for conservation. "After more than a decade of campaigning and years of detailed assessments, consultation and planning, we have cleared the final hurdles to delivering our biggest environmental commitment," she said in a statement. "We are protecting extraordinary forests … while ensuring future generations can enjoy these incredible places."

For conservationist Ashley Love, the park's creation is the culmination of more than a decade of lobbying. He began pushing for the reserve after hearing reports that koalas were becoming less common in the region. "We're extremely grateful that the government has decided to protect native forest," he said. "Its nature is quite fragmented, and there are gaps and connectivity issues between sections of it, but it is a big step forward." Mr Love said he would continue to push for more surrounding forest to be protected.

The establishment of the park was made possible by federal government approval to generate carbon credits for ending native forest logging in the park's state forest areas. On Thursday, the Clean Energy Regulator registered the project, with more than 117,000 hectares designated for carbon protection. A moratorium on logging was introduced last year, and a transition package was offered to affected workers.

Timber New South Wales president Andrew Hurford said the logging ban has had a "creeping impact" on the industry along the Mid North Coast. "Staff have been laid off; engineering firms that provide support to those companies have no forward orders … downstream people supplying tyres, fuel, trucking, transport, engineering," he said. In July, Forestry Corporation of NSW announced it would cut more than 30 jobs in Coffs Harbour related to the park's impacts. The government said impacted staff would be appointed to suitable roles with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The park represents a significant conservation win for koala habitat and biodiversity in NSW, protecting over 100 species.
The transition away from native forest logging has direct economic consequences for timber workers and related industries on the Mid North Coast.
The fragmented nature of the park may limit its effectiveness unless connectivity issues are addressed over time.

Background

The Great Koala National Park was a key promise from NSW Labor during the 2023 state election, following unsuccessful bids in 2015 and 2019. The proposal originated from a decade of campaigning by conservationists who raised concerns about declining koala populations. The park's final form is a patchwork of existing reserves and former state forest, with some gaps between sections.

Key Perspectives

Conservationists: Ashley Love welcomes the park as a big step forward but notes connectivity issues and says further protection of surrounding forest is still needed. Timber industry: Andrew Hurford reports job losses and reduced orders across the supply chain, describing a gradual slowdown since the logging moratorium. State government: Environment Minister Penny Sharpe calls the park the biggest environmental commitment and a defining moment for conservation.

What to Watch

Whether the federal carbon credit project delivers expected emissions reductions and ongoing funding.
The effectiveness of transition packages for displaced timber workers and the pace of new roles with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Future efforts to expand the park or address connectivity gaps between its fragmented sections.

Sources

NSW's second-largest national park created to protect koalas · Latest business news
NSW's second-largest national park created to protect koalas · Just In

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

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Partly supportedThe park was created after a 14-hour debate.Latest business news: “The legislation passed today after more than 14 hours of debate in the Legislative Council, which considered approximately 160 amendments.”
SupportedThe Great Koala National Park was created to protect koalas.Latest business news: “NSW's second-largest national park created to protect koalas.”
SupportedThe park is 478,000 hectares.Latest business news: “The Great Koala National Park (GKNP) will take in 478,000 hectares of land between Kempsey and Grafton on the Mid North Coast”
SupportedThe park is the state's second-largest national park.Latest business news: “After a marathon parliamentary debate, the state government has established New South Wales's second-largest national park.”
SupportedThe park is a key Labor election promise.Latest business news: “The Great Koala National Park (GKNP) will take in 478,000 hectares of land between Kempsey and Grafton on the Mid North Coast, following a key promise from Labor during the 2023 state election .”
SupportedThe park aims to protect koala habitat and more than 100 species of flora and fauna.Latest business news: “NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe hailed the GKNP as a win for the environment that would protect more than 100 species of flora and fauna.”
SupportedSharpe said: “After more than a decade of campaigning and years of detailed assessments, consultation and planning, we have cleared the final hurdles to delivering our biggest environmental commitment.”Latest business news: “After more than a decade of campaigning and years of detailed assessments, consultation and planning, we have cleared the final hurdles to delivering our biggest environmental commitment.”
SupportedThe park includes existing national parks and more than 178,000 hectares of state forest and Crown Land.Latest business news: “It will comprise a patchwork of existing national parks and more than 178,000 hectares of state forest and Crown Land.”
Partly supportedA logging moratorium was introduced last year.Latest business news: “A moratorium on logging on the proposed area of the GKNP was introduced last year, and a transition package was offered to affected workers.”
SupportedThe Clean Energy Regulator registered the project on Thursday, with more than 117,000 hectares designated for carbon protection.Latest business news: “On Thursday, the federal Clean Energy Regulator announced it had registered the project, with more than 117,000 hectares designated for carbon protection.”
SupportedHurford said: “Staff have been laid off; engineering firms that provide support to those companies have no forward orders … downstream people supplying tyres, fuel, trucking, transport, engineering,”Latest business news: “Staff have been laid off; engineering firms that provide support to those companies have no forward orders … downstream people supplying tyres, fuel, trucking, transport, engineering.”
Partly supportedThe government said impacted staff would be appointed to suitable roles with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.Latest business news: “The government said impacted FCNSW staff would be appointed to suitable roles with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.”