In reply: As Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, it was my very great honour to introduce the National Park Estate (Great Koala National Park Reservations) Bill 2026 to the Legislative Assembly and listen to the debate, and I am pleased to speak in reply. I thank those who contributed to the debate, including the members representing the electorates of Heathcote, Granville, Summer Hill, Coogee, Campbelltown, Gosford, Sydney, Lake Macquarie, Oxley, Balmain, Bega, Newcastle, Riverstone, Parramatta, North Shore, Pittwater, Port Macquarie, Cronulla, Holsworthy, Clarence, Myall Lakes and Coffs Harbour.
The bill establishes the legislative framework for the creation of the Great Koala National Park in north‑eastern New South Wales. The purpose of the bill is to provide for reservation of identified lands, protection of koala habitat, biodiversity conservation, Aboriginal cultural heritage protection and nature-based tourism opportunities. The bill supports landscape-scale protection of koala habitat, improves habitat connectivity, reduces fragmentation and strengthens protection of threatened species and ecological communities. The bill provides a framework for transitioning identified public lands to national parks tenure while considering regional communities, visitor access and nature-based tourism opportunities.
The bill establishes reservation mechanisms, transfer of management responsibilities, treatment of existing interests and consequential legislative amendments required to implement the Great Koala National Park. Further, at part 11 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act on vested lands, I clarify that around 17,000 hectares will be initially vested with the Minister rather than immediately reserved because that land is subject to perpetual leases. Until those leases are acquired, the land cannot be reserved under the Act. The Government is engaging directly with leaseholders and will acquire those leasehold interests in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991, which provides a fair and transparent compensation framework. In the meantime, those lands will be managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Suggestions that they will be available for logging and mining are not correct.
This is not a new proposal. After 3½ years of consulting and listening, here we are. The bill delivers on the Government's commitment to establish the Great Koala National Park, securing habitat for koalas and many other threatened species, recognising the enduring connection of the Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti peoples to country, and providing a foundation for sustainable recreation, tourism and regional economic opportunities. The Great Koala National Park will be a landmark addition to the national parks estate and a lasting investment in the environmental, cultural and economic future of the Mid North Coast and New South Wales. I commend the bill to the House.
