‘Historic win’: Australian state approves national koala park despite controversial funding
SYDNEY — After more than a decade of campaigning, Australian conservation and community groups celebrated a historic win on Oct. 23 after legislation was passed to create the Great Koala National Park in New South Wales (NSW). The campaigners’ success came 10 days after NSW Premier and Labor politician Chris Minns tabled a bill proposing […]
Australian conservation and community groups have hailed a historic win after a bill was passed to establish the Great Koala National Park in New South Wales (NSW). Premier Chris Minns announced the legislation on Oct. 23, a promise made during the 2023 election. The park, set to open by the end of 2026, will encompass 178,000 hectares of state forests and other government land, aiming to protect 12,000 koalas and over 100 threatened species.
The Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti people, who have been instrumental in shaping the park, will continue to guide its management, with Aboriginal rangers employed through community-controlled organizations.
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