Australia has confirmed plans to establish the Great Koala National Park in New South Wales, a move designed to protect one of the country’s most beloved but threatened animals. The park will cover 476,000 hectares, making it twice the size of England’s Lake District, and will connect a series of existing reserves into one of the largest dedicated koala habitats in the world.

Koalas are listed as endangered in parts of New South Wales, and scientists warn that without strong action they could disappear from the wild by 2050. Habitat loss, logging, bushfires, drought, disease and extreme heat have all taken a heavy toll on the species in recent decades.

Key points from the government’s plan include:

• A temporary ban on logging across areas marked for inclusion in the park.

• Financial support for timber workers expected to be affected by the ban, with an estimated 300 jobs impacted.

• Consultation with Aboriginal communities about future employment opportunities within the park.

• Long-term protection for more than 12,000 koalas and other species in the region.

The decision has drawn cautious optimism from conservation groups. WWF-Australia welcomed the announcement, with conservation scientist Dr Stuart Blanch saying the park represents good news for both koalas and people. The Wilderness Society called the plan a historic win for wildlife, noting that large-scale conservation efforts of this kind are rare.

Koalas are known for their slow-moving, eucalyptus-filled lifestyle, often sleeping up to 22 hours a day. Yet their survival is under severe pressure, and deforestation in particular has left them with less and less room to live. By halting logging and expanding protected areas, the government hopes to secure a future where koalas can thrive in the wild.

The Great Koala National Park has been under discussion for a decade, but the announcement of park boundaries and funding marks a significant turning point. If the project succeeds, it could set a model for balancing environmental protection with community and industry needs.