2nd June, 2026.
I come to this debate from a totally different perspective. I support any legislation that protects koalas, I support national parks and I support strong action to save one of Australia's most iconic native fauna species. Much has been said about the benefits of the Great Koala National Park on the Mid North Coast, and rightly so. Protecting koala habitat is one of the most important conservation challenges facing New South Wales. However, some of the State's most significant, rare and disease‑free koala populations live much closer to Sydney—across the Macarthur region, Wollondilly and the Southern Highlands. These ecologically and genetically important koalas deserve the utmost protection as well. Koalas in northern and southern New South Wales should be afforded the same level of conservation. The conservation of healthy koalas in southern New South Wales should not be considered less important or less great.
Koalas occupy a landscape that still contains extensive bushland, wildlife corridors and public land. Many of the koalas in the south have historically been among the healthiest populations in the State and provide enormous conservation value. But when we talk about saving koalas, the southern populations are often treated as an afterthought. I take koala conservation seriously. We should discuss the creation of a south great koala national park. Even more boldly, we should discuss a New South Wales great national park, which would be a connected conservation network stretching through the northern and southern Sydney Basin and the Southern Highlands. The opportunity is already there, because the majority of land in Wollondilly and the Southern Highlands is publicly owned. We have Crown land, existing national parks, council-owned bushland, public reserves and conservation lands. Creating a south great koala national park and New South Wales koala national park is relatively straightforward. Protecting koalas in the south does not require large-scale changes to the forestry industry or the loss of regional jobs.
The best chance of saving koalas in New South Wales is not to choose north over south but to recognise that koalas need protection wherever significant populations survive and need to be given the best conditions for long-term survival wherever possible. Wildlife carers, Landcare groups, conservation volunteers and local communities have spent years restoring habitats and protecting wildlife corridors. They are saying that the time is now to create a long-lasting legacy. Community organisations are already leading the way in protecting environmental lands for koalas. Friends of Thirlmere Lakes has worked tirelessly to protect one of the region's most significant natural landscapes. The Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary continues to rescue, rehabilitate and advocate for native wildlife, including koalas. It has a saying: Now is the moment that matters.
A south great koala national park would connect local group efforts into a single landscape-scale conservation strategy with a coordinated vision for the future. The time is now. Let us protect vulnerable koalas and their habitats from the threats of urban expansion, roads, habitat fragmentation and vehicle strikes. Also, koalas should be kept as close as possible to their natural surroundings and receive timely medical treatment to maintain survival rates. Injured and sick koalas should not be transferred approximately five hours away to northern New South Wales. If we can create a Great Koala National Park in the north, then we should have the ambition to create a south great koala national park in the south, because every koala in New South Wales matters.
This week I will launch a petition and an accompanying lighthearted video promoting the creation of a new national park in my community that members should be sure to look at. Every koala population deserves a future. Conservation should not be determined by geography. Every significant koala population deserves protection wherever significant populations survive and thrive. The question is not whether we can afford to create a south great koala national park; the question is whether we can afford not to. If we act now, we have the opportunity to create a lasting legacy that protects koalas, strengthens biodiversity, supports community conservation efforts and demonstrates that New South Wales is committed to safeguarding all of its natural treasures. The best chance of saving koalas in New South Wales is not choosing north over south. If we can create the Great Koala National Park in the north, then we should have the ambition to create a great koala national park in the south and over the whole of New South Wales.