Australian Rural & Regional News asked some questions of Minister and received answers from a spokesperson from NSW NPWS, set out below the Minister’s announcement.

The Hon. James Griffin, Minister for Environment and Heritage (NSW), Media Release, 9 May 2022

Koalas, long-nosed potoroos and powerful owls are among more than 20 threatened species to benefit from three additions to the NSW national parks estate. 

Minister for Environment James Griffin said more than 2,000 hectares has been acquired in three locations – in Monaro, near Yamba, and north of Taree. 

“These three acquisitions are part of a program targeting some of the most important areas in NSW for koala conservation,” Mr Griffin said.

“Securing koala habitat in national parks is part of our strategy to double the koala population by 2050. As well as koalas, these national park additions will protect an incredible diversity of threatened species. 

“Since 2019, the NSW Government has secured 600,000 hectares for addition to the national park estate to protect threatened habitats, wildlife and cultural heritage in perpetuity.”

In the state’s south near Cooma, the NSW Government, through the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), has purchased 1,052 hectares adjoining Macanally State Conservation Area. 

Featuring long unburnt woodlands, it forms part of a corridor linking the tablelands with the coastal forests and is a critical step in securing the regional koala population.

In the State’s north, NPWS has purchased 752 hectares adjoining Bundjalung National Park near Yamba. 

“This is a big win for koalas, and also for the host of threatened species that share these forests, such as brush-tailed phascogales, yellow-bellied gliders and powerful owls.

“The third property is 200 hectares adjoining Killabakh Nature Reserve, in the ranges north of Taree. This property contains 130 hectares of wet sclerophyll forest containing tallowwood, flooded gum and Sydney blue gum, all important food trees for koalas.”

To learn more about koala conservation, visit environment.nsw.gov.au/koala

Questions for the Minister and the response from a spokesperson for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)

ARR.News: Regarding the 1052 hectares adjoining the Macanally State Conservation area featuring ‘long unburnt woodlands’ – what is the program for the reduction of fuel loads on this land in order to minimise the risk of high intensity bushfires that would incinerate the koalas and the other threatened species? Is there to be a program of mild burning across all these reserves to reduce fuel loads and maintain ecological health? If so, who will be conducting this and will it begin this winter before the next bushfire season?

NPWS: To enable proper planning for protection of the various environmental assets in the new addition adjacent Macanally, no burns are planned prior to the next bushfire season. Planning is underway for this addition to be considered as part of the review and extension of the Regional Fire Management Strategy for Macanally. NPWS is also in discussion with the NSW RFS via the Bush Fire Management Committee’s Risk Management Planning for the protection of Koalas on and off park estate.

ARR.News: What was the previous use of each of the properties and the purchase price of each?

NPWS: All land purchases are commercial-in-confidence and NPWS does not disclose purchase price. Land is only purchased from willing sellers though voluntary negotiation process.

ARR.News: National parks appear to have become places of retreat for feral animals, such as pigs and deer, foxes and cats that the NSW Government has failed to adequately control.  What different measures will be in place in these reserves to reduce or eradicate feral animals and other pests and also weeds that impact adversely on the threatened species and biodiversity?

NPWS: NPWS is delivering the largest aerial shooting and aerial baiting program ever delivered on the national park estate, targeting in particular foxes, goats, pigs and deer.

Feral animals and weeds are one of the biggest threats to native plants and animals and cause billions of dollars’ worth of damage to Australian agricultural production each year.

NPWS works closely with neighbours and other agencies such as Local Land Services (LLS) to implement cross-tenure feral animal and weed control.

ARR.News: What surveys have been undertaken on these properties to establish the number of koalas currently living there and their condition?  

NPWS: All properties offered to NPWS for purchase are assessed against a set of criteria using the best available information. The Koala Habitat Information Base informs the relative habitat value of a property. Additional factors are then considered: resilience, threat, landscape value and site value to ensure the habitat values would persist if the land is added to the national park system.  

Related story: NSW releases Australia’s largest investment in koalas: Griffin