Photo: Almost 200 hectares of bushland on the NSW coast has been secured to help restore koala numbers. Source: AAP
The NSW government and Koala Conservation Australia have purchased almost 200 hectares of koala habitat to help double the species’ population by 2050.
Almost 200 hectares of prime koala habitat on the NSW mid north coast will be protected from bulldozers after it was bought by the state government.
The purchase of land at Lake Innes, south-west of Port Macquarie was a joint initiative with $3.5 million in funding from Koala Conservation Australia.
The government will add the land to the adjacent Lake Innes Nature Reserve and protect it by declaring it an ‘Asset of Intergenerational Significance’.
Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said it was a victory for the many advocates in the local community who fought so hard for this result.
“Our community has the surety of knowing their children for generations to come will see koalas in the wild, which is cause for celebration,” Ms Williams said.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said the sale would help the government reach its target of doubling the state’s koala population by 2050.
“Our iconic koalas are increasingly threatened by the loss and fragmentation of habitat. This purchase will protect critical habitat from development and ensure the koala population in this area is safeguarded forever,” Mr Kean said.
The World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia welcomed the decision.
“On top of deforestation for agriculture and native forest logging, clearing of koala homes for urban expansion is a major driver of koala declines on the NSW north coast,” Dr Stuart Blanch, WWF-Australia conservation scientist.
“Expansion of the protected areas estate across different land tenures is critical to save koalas from extinction, as well as the hundreds of other species that also call koala forests home.”
“We MUST respect this earth - it is all we have
Claudio Dametto - South Australia
“I will always Vote to Preserve Our World.
Liam McGregor - Western Australia
“A simple message that even a politician can understand
Felicity Crombach - Victoria
“Please show you care about our future generations!!
Phil Harmer - New South Wales
“Save our world , Life & health before profits.
Kerry Lillian - New South Wales
“Close down all coal mines and Do not mine gas . Make these Companies
Daniel Johnson - New South Wales
“We want carbon free energy!
Edan Clarke - New South Wales
“Feels good to be taking a voter action step
Beaver Hudson - New South Wales
“Great Initiative. Let’s Hold elected officials Accountable to their bosses, us!
John Paul Posada - New South Wales
“We need actions not words we need honest democratic govt We need a pm
Bob Pearce - South Australia
“Thank you for this great resource. I was feeling helpless. Even this small step
Silvia Anderson - Victoria
“If political parties continue receiving political donations, we will rarely have politicians working for
Dan Chicos - New South Wales
“I only vote for people who will take urgent action to restore a safe
Susie Burke - Victoria
“Current government is not representing the opinion of the majority of Australian to meet
Neil Price - Tasmania
“We are fighting to rescue our kids' future from those who seek to steal
Vanessa Norimi - Queensland
“No time to waste Now or Never My vote is for NOW
Rosalie White - Victoria
“I am only 9 but I already care
Ava Bell - New South Wales
“From New Lambton Uniting Church - Caring for our world is a moral imperative.
Niall McKay - New South Wales
“Our federal govt is an International climate Embarrassment - its about time they stepped
Oriana Tolo - Victoria
“Vote earth this time!
Sue Cooke - Queensland
“We are in one on the wealthiest countries in the world. we have the
rowan huxtable - New South Wales
“The climate Emergency is the public health opportunity and urgent priority of the 21st
Mike Forrester - Victoria
“If they want my vote they better act now
Barbara McNiff - New South Wales
“We need to act locally now for the earth. Our only home. Vote Earth
Anne Miller - New South Wales
“I often look at the places I've known all my life and see how
Jim Baird - New South Wales
“Strike one For people power!!! Democracy might prevail outside the current cronyism that faces
Lorraine Bridger - New South Wales
“Our federal politicians Are Afraid to make action on climate change a major election
Jennifer Martin - New South Wales
“climate election, let's go!
Fahimah Badrulhisham - New South Wales
“Great to see this website that is a focus on action for climate change
Lynette Sinclair - New South Wales
“Let’s show politicians and the Murdoch media that climate change is by far the
Jane Aitken - Australian Capital Territory
“If you want to stay in power You need to take action to stop
Jane Bulter - New South Wales
“We are all that stands between terminal climate change and the vulnerable. We are
Carol Khan - Queensland
“We need a Government that Believes this is real and not taking money from
Ken Gray - New South Wales
“I'm voting for my childrens future
Anneliese Alexander - New South Wales