Under the NSW Koala Strategy, the NSW Government is investing $107.1 million over 5 years to mitigate impacts from habitat loss and climate change and to protect, restore and improve the condition of 47,000 hectares of koala habitat.
Habitat loss and climate change are the most serious threats to koala populations. To double koala numbers, significant increases in koala habitat area and condition are needed.
Key investments and 2026 targets include:
- $50.3 million to add up to 15,000 hectares of koala habitat to the national park estate
- $20.3 million to permanently protect 7,000 hectares of koala habitat on private land
- $15.5 million to coordinate the restoration of 20,000 hectares of koala habitat
- $16 million to deliver 5,000 hectares of landscape-scale box-gum restoration
- $5 million to leverage a five-fold private sector investment.
Adding koala habitat to the national park estate
The NSW Government is investing $50.3 million to permanently conserve up to 15,000 hectares of high-quality koala habitat as national park estate. Land that can help establish and secure stronghold areas is being prioritised.
Protecting koala habitat on private land
The NSW Government is investing $20.3 million to permanently protect 7,000 hectares of koala habitat on private land.
Private landholders with high-quality koala habitat in populations for immediate investment can be supported to permanently conserve their koala habitat.
Support is targeted towards stronghold areas and possible via 2 programs administered by the Biodiversity Conservation Trust: Conservation Partners Program, and in-perpetuity conservation agreements with annual payments.
Coordinating koala habitat restoration
The NSW Government is investing $15.5 million to coordinate the restoration of 20,000 hectares of koala habitat.
This includes seed purchases, bush regeneration, natural regeneration and direct planting.
Koala habitat is being restored across different tenures, supporting local restoration initiatives through collaboration with local communities.
Box-gum koala habitat restoration
The NSW Government is investing $16 million to deliver 5,000 hectares of landscape-scale restoration in partnership with Taronga Conservation Society Australia.
This partnership will establish the largest box-gum woodland restoration and rewilding project ever attempted, creating climate change-resilient habitat for koalas and other threatened species. By 2026, the land will be purchased and restoration works will have commenced.
Private sector investment
The NSW Government is investing $5 million to generate partnerships which secure a five-fold private sector investment in koala conservation.
Full information on actions and targets under Pillar 1 is provided in the NSW Koala Strategy.
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A process of healing and rehabilitation is beginning in one of the state’s newest reserves – Guula Ngurra National Park.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is currently undertaking koala habitat restoration projects from the Border Ranges in the north to the Snowy River and Bega regions in the south.
A Great Koala National Park on the state’s Mid North Coast is a step closer, with the establishment of 3 advisory panels to provide input into the creation of the park.