October 2025 column by Janelle Saffin MP, State Member for Lismore
THERE’S been a wonderful response to the Minns Government’s announcement of the Great Koala National Park. Koalas are an iconic species, and without decisive action, they face extinction in the wild by 2050.
This park will protect over 12,000 koalas, more than 100 other threatened species, and significant old growth forests across nearly 500,000 hectares.
While some advocated for a smaller footprint, it had to be done at scale to save the koalas. An immediate moratorium on timber harvesting has been introduced in the proposed park area.
It wasn’t possible to create the Great Koala National Park without some impacts, and I’m very conscious there will be some impacts on some timber workers.
The Government has consulted with unions and the industry for over two years. There is a transition package being worked through with the union to support forestry workers, a package for the timber industry and $6 million for a business program. We are managing this in the best way we can.
I acknowledge the importance of the timber industry to our regional communities and I’m listening and working with mayors and MPs to hear about any consequences.
The park will also create over 100 new jobs within the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The Great Koala National Park is a significant cultural landscape for Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti peoples.
The Aboriginal advisory panel will guide the management of the park and for the first time in NSW, dedicated Aboriginal Rangers will be employed via Aboriginal Controlled Organisations to work on Aboriginal cultural heritage within the park.
I thank all who have raised the issue of koala protection with me, and I particularly want to acknowledge the tireless advocacy and hard work of Lorraine Vass AM and the late Ros Irwin OAM from Friends of the Koala.
I have to thank Premier Chris Minns because it is a big decision to do something like this. Creating the Great Koala National Park is a legacy decision—one that will allow future generations to experience koalas in the wild and walk among ancient forests.
On September 7 I was in Bongil Bongil National Park with the Premier, Environment minister Penny Sharpe and Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty for the announcement and I said ‘this is the day we save the koalas’. How good is that!
Great Koala National Park Announcement – (L to R) Environment minister, Penny Sharpe, Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin, Premier Chris Minns and Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty at Bongil Bongil National Park.
