Koala Park ignores the science, risks worse outcomes

Koala Park ignores the science, risks worse outcomes

Friday 12 Sep 2025

Forestry Australia, the nation’s leading body representing forest scientists, managers and growers, expresses its dismay at the New South Wales State Government’s decision to create a Great Koala National Park without a clear, science-led plan to deliver measurable outcomes and avoid negative flow on consequences.

“The Great Koala National Park makes a headline, not a science-led plan. By sidelining the complementary role of actively managed state forests, the Government has missed the chance to maximise outcomes for koalas and communities,” said Dr Michelle Freeman, President of Forestry Australia.

Dr Freeman said simply declaring a national park does not guarantee biodiversity conservation or the long-term survival of koalas. “Science-based, adaptive forest management across all tenures is essential to maintaining healthy forests, adapting to climate change, and conserving biodiversity,” Dr Freeman said.

“The State Government’s decision risks repeating past mistakes where a shift away from active and adaptive management has led to declines in native species, including koalas.”

Recent research highlights that koala populations in NSW state forests remain high and stable, thanks to thoughtful regulated management. In contrast, examples like Booderee National Park, where potoroos and bandicoots became locally extinct, and the Pilliga Forest, where koala numbers declined after conversion to conservation reserves, demonstrate that passive management can fail wildlife and ecosystems.

These lessons must inform the management of the Great Koala National Park if it is to succeed.

Dr Freeman added that well-managed state forests already deliver multiple public benefits additional to those possible in national parks, including ecotourism, diverse recreation, timber and non-timber products, while maintaining biodiversity and access for all.

“This decision, will have far-reaching cultural, social and economic consequences, with no guarantees for biodiversity.”

Forestry Australia calls on the NSW Government to:

Commit long-term, fit-for-purpose funding for the park’s active management.
Set measurable, time-bound targets for koala populations and forest health, with transparent reporting.
Adopt an adaptive management plan (fire, predators, weeds and habitat complexity) across all tenures.
Co-design governance with Traditional Owners and forest scientists.
Recognise and retain the complementary role of well-managed state forests alongside protected areas.

“Forestry Australia stands ready to work with the NSW Government to deliver genuine conservation outcomes that do not sacrifice the broader benefits of active forest management,” Dr Freeman said.

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Source: Forestry Australia

Further reading:

Great Koala National Park announcement [NSW Government] The Great Koala National Park is a large and biodiverse landscape and will become a centrepiece of koala conservation in New South Wales.
Timber industry counts cost of ban from 176,000 hectares of Great Koala National Park [ABC News] Timber mills fear they will be unable to fill orders after the New South Wales government confirmed logging would end in forests gazetted as part of the Great Koala National Park.

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