Sydney’s largest koala population right here in Campbelltown is set to enjoy greater protection as the newest national park in NSW starts to take shape along the Georges River.
Georges River Koala National Park will stretch between Long Point and Appin, across 962 hectares.
Environment minister Penny Sharpe visited the area last week, confirming that almost $49 million has been allocated towards the establishment of the park.
Work is already under way to grow the park with more land transfers planned into the national park system which will protect up to 1830 hectares of habitat.
Koalas require large, connected areas of habitat so they can eat, move and breed.
The government has also today announced its Indigenous name: Warranmadhaa National Park.
It says the national park will help safeguard the most important corridor in the area, facilitating the safe movement of koalas between Campbelltown and the Southern Highlands.
When fully established, it will further protect Cumberland plain woodland and Shale sandstone transition forest, which are both listed as critically endangered ecological areas.
The national park plan supports the delivery of approximately 73,000 homes and will minimise the impacts of development on threatened plants and animals at a landscape scale while creating protected suburban green spaces.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has started the process to prepare a plan of management for Warranmadhaa National Park.
This will provide opportunity for people to have their say to help shape how the park will be managed to preserve its values and how it will be accessed and used by the community.
The state member for Campbelltown, Greg Warren, has welcomed the formal establishment of Warranmadhaa – Georges River Koala National Park.
He says the preservation of nearly 1000 hectares of essential koala habitat is expected to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions along Appin Road and Narellan Road.
Also, new walking trails and educational facilities will provide local schools, community groups and wildlife carers with enhanced opportunities for engagement and learning.
In addition, sustainable visitor experiences will promote ecotourism by showcasing Campbelltown’s unique bushland and the Tharawal heritage of the Georges River region.
Expanded controlled-burn buffers along the suburban fringe will strengthen bushfire resilience.
“I welcome this important step towards koala conservation in our region,” Mr Waren said.
“Our community has an expectation that wildlife in our region, particularly our koalas, are protected and safeguarded.
“This commitment is a step towards ensuring that this community expectation is not just met, but exceeded.”
Campbelltown Mayor Darcy Lound said the establishment of this new national park was a step forward in conserving the local koala population, as well as other wildlife such as platypus and gang-gang cockatoos.
“We look forward to viewing the draft plan of management and working with the NSW Government to support conservation, recreation and environmental outcomes for the Campbelltown community,” Mayor Lound said.