Local, environmental and Aboriginal community groups will restore and improve koala habitat across the Mid North Coast of NSW thanks to an Australian Government investment of more than $500,000.

Projects in Nambucca Valley, Dorrigo Plateau, Coffs Harbour and North Bellingen regions will undertake conservation actions such as tree planting, weed control and scat collection to increase understanding of koala disease and improve habitat.

The three projects include:

• $199,200 for the ‘Jaliigirr Koala Conservation Action in the Coffs Harbour & Bellingen ARKS’ project delivered by Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance Inc.
• $160,153 for the ‘Dorrigo Plateau Corridor Digital Mapping and Koala Restoration’ project delivered by Dorrigo Community Nursery Inc.
• $147,862 for the ‘Nambucca Valley Koala Conservation’ project delivered by Nambucca Landcare Co-Ordinating Committee.

Koalas are listed as endangered in NSW, Queensland and the ACT. These projects engage the community in koala recovery and are part of more than $5 million awarded to on-ground koala recovery projects across the listed range.

Overall, the Australian Government is investing more than $76 million through the Saving Koalas Fund for the conservation and protection of the listed koala. This includes community grants, large-scale habitat restoration activities, monitoring and koala health initiatives.

Further information about the Saving Koalas Fund can be found here: Koala conservation - DCCEEW

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water the Hon Tanya Plibersek:

“No-one wants to imagine an Australia without the koalas. The Albanese Labor Government is ensuring that our kids and grandkids will still be able to see koalas in the wild. 

“Communities across Australia play a crucial role in protecting and conserving this beloved animal. This funding is about supporting local groups to do what they do best – getting communities involved in protecting this iconic species.  

“That’s why the Government is investing a total of $5 million on local koala recovery projects, and a total of $76 million in our Saving Koalas Fund.

“I am committed to achieving our target of zero new extinctions in Australia – this includes the koala.”

Quotes attributable to Senator Tim Ayres:

“Koalas are incredibly important to our local community – the Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance project will work with partners spanning environmental groups and Aboriginal land councils in order to restore and improve koala habitat allowing them to move safely through our region.

“Specialised training and equipment will also be provided to support key community members provide best practice care for koalas.

“The koala conservation efforts on the Mid North Coast are testament to the strength and resilience of the community.

“This work is critical to protecting one of our national icons, which are vulnerable to habitat loss and climate change.”