The New South Wales government has unveiled plans for the Great Koala National Park, aiming to protect vital habitats for koalas and other wildlife. The proposal includes reserving 176,000 hectares of state forest, which will connect with existing national parks to create a total reserve of 476,000 hectares. This initiative is part of an election promise and is expected to safeguard over 12,000 koalas, along with 36,000 greater gliders and more than 100 other threatened species.

Starting Monday, timber harvesting within the proposed park boundaries will be paused. Premier Chris Minns emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that koalas are at risk of extinction in New South Wales. "We've listened carefully and we're making sure workers, businesses and communities are supported every step of the way," he said.

However, the plan has drawn criticism from industry leaders who warn it could severely impact the local timber sector. NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders described the proposal as a "crushing blow for hard-working families, businesses and entire regional towns who will have their livelihoods wiped out overnight." He expressed concern that the decision could trigger a ripple effect on other industries, including construction, mining, and energy.

Opposition North Coast spokesman Gurmesh Singh noted that the timber industry had proposed a smaller, more manageable option of 37,000 hectares for the park, which was not accepted. "This decision will hurt our communities in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, ripping out valuable jobs that allow people to put food on the table," Singh said.

In response to the concerns, Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty assured that the government is committed to maintaining a sustainable forestry industry. She stated that financial assistance would be provided to affected businesses to help them cover costs and pay employee salaries. Additionally, workers and their families will have access to mental health, financial, and legal counseling services.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will receive an extra $60 million in funding to support the establishment of the park, following an $80 million investment in 2023. The federal government is also evaluating whether the park could generate carbon credits, which the NSW government indicates is crucial for the park's final creation.

Conservation groups have previously criticized delays in declaring the protected habitat, which the government had promised to finalize by the end of its first term in 2027. Wilderness Australia chair Bob Debus warned in March that logging in important areas of the proposed park could lead to irreversible damage.

Conversely, Australian Workers Union secretary Tony Callinan expressed optimism, stating that it is possible to balance the needs of koalas with a viable timber industry. "We can have sufficient forestry area for koalas to prosper and we can have a viable, responsible timber industry," he said.