Have Your Say on Saving Koalas in NSW

The NSW Government is asking the community for feedback on its koala strategy in the lead up to this month’s Koala Summit.

While the Koala Summit sounds like a fun koala get-together – meet at the big tree, BYO leaves – it’s actually a meeting for (human) stakeholders to discuss the path forward to protecting our furry friends.

It’s part of a review of the current NSW Koala Strategy which has been in place since 2021. As part of the review, the government is asking for community feedback on the strategy  – so it’s time to have your say to ensure the long-term survival of NSW koalas in the wild!

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Penny Sharpe said, ‘In the lead up to the Koala Summit, we are launching this paper to seek innovative ideas and feedback. Everyone who cares about the future of our precious koalas is encouraged to provide their views’.

What’s being reviewed?

The $190 million NSW Koala Strategy sets a long-term vision for protecting the state’s koala population and includes an action plan for the first three years.

The discussion paper which has been released – titled Reviewing the NSW Koala Strategy – seeks your input on how the action plan can be improved.

The discussion paper outlines the current actions, each with a number of focus questions for the review.

You can give your feedback on initiatives such as koala habitat protection, koala safety and health, responses to the impact of climate change, and more.

What is the Koala Summit?

The Koala Summit will be held at Taronga Zoo on the 22nd of March 2024 as part of the review process. It’ll bring together key stakeholders to review the discussion paper and give feedback on the current action plan.

The outcomes from both the Koala Summit and the community feedback will shape future actions that the government and stakeholders – including the community – take to protect koalas in NSW.

How do I have my say?

First up you should read the discussion paper, then submissions can be made before the 26th of April 2024 by completing the online consultation form.

Feature image thanks to @patcorden