NSW Government investing in Sydney koalas

$80 million is being invested by the NSW Government to protect koalas and secure their habitat in south-west Sydney.

The 2023–24 NSW Budget provides $48 million to help establish a new national park along the Georges River between Long Point and Appin, which will eventually cover up to 1,830 hectares. The suburbs of Long Point, Ingleburn, Minto Heights, Kentlyn, Airds, St Helens Park, Gilead and Appin will host the new park.

The investment will accelerate the addition of more than 1,000 hectares of public land to the NSW national park system within the next 3 years. The transfer and reservation of these lands will deliver long-lasting conservation benefits for Sydney’s largest and one of the state’s healthiest koala populations.

The NSW Government is also providing $26 million to create koala-friendly crossings in south-west Sydney. Two of these will allow animals to cross below Appin Road, and a third will cross a canal.

$5.7 million will go towards koala care in the Macarthur area, to look after local populations of the iconic animal.

This $80 million dollar package for koalas in south-west Sydney is part of the new $172 million investment by the NSW Government for the conservation of koalas in the wild.