CELEBRATING the proposal for a Great Koala National Park, members of the public are encouraged to attend a Koala Family Picnic in the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden from 12-3pm on Sunday, 30 October 2022.

The proposed park will form a giant network of existing national park areas combined with public state forests stretching from Red Rock in the north to South West Rocks in the south and west to Dorrigo.

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“The free koala family picnic is an opportunity for residents in the Coffs Harbour region to have a fun day, while showing their support for protecting koala habitat,” Danielle Ryan, Conservation Campaigner, National Parks Association NSW, told News Of The Area.

“Our state politicians are gathering for the Koala Conference (The Vanishing) the day before this event, so let’s show them that our community cares about our local Aussie icon.

“Visitors will hear from visiting non-fiction author of ‘Koala – A life in Trees’, Danielle Clode, and dedicated koala advocate and former school teacher Dave Wood who will both explain why community support is needed to create the Great Koala National Park.

Creating the park is the koala’s best hope at surviving extinction in NSW and ensuring it is protected for future generations.

“If we protected our native forests tomorrow in our region and combined them with our local national parks to create the Great Koala National Park, we could protect 20 perecent of koala habitat in NSW,” Samantha Newton, Acting CEO, National Parks Association NSW told NOTA.

“After the black summer bushfires of 2019/20, it has become clear that Australia’s iconic koala can no longer co-exist with unsustainable native forest operations.

“It is imperative we immediately transition away from native forestry logging on public land and move towards plantation forestry timber.

“These devastating operations compete for koala homes and their food source,” she said.

“Inside this treasure trove of landscapes are species that can be found nowhere else on the planet like the koala, rich stores of carbon, ancient rainforests, and secret waterfalls,” said Danielle.

According to the National Parks Association this national park would create 9,800 extra jobs in tourism over 15 years and inject an extra $1.2 billion in projected additional regional economic output and an incredible $1.7 billion in biodiversity values.

The free Picnic Funday is hosted by the National Parks Association Coffs Harbour and Nature Conservation Council NSW.

Please register at www.eventbrite.com/e/koala-family-picnic-tickets-431480528877

By Andrea FERRARI