Guulabaa, Place of Koala: New nature-based playground and koala park coming to Mid-North Coast
A major slice of state forest is set to be transformed into a koala sanctuary where tourists can walk among the tree tops and take in the exquisite beauty of the Mid-North Coast hinterland.
Mid-North Coast
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A patch of state forest that’s set to be transformed into a nature-based tourism playground and koala rehabilitation precinct will receive a $3 million boost.
The Federal and NSW Governments announced the investment in the Cowarra State Forest precinct which will enable sealed access roads and additional carparking, water tank mural, cafe, seating areas, an amphitheatre and elevated boardwalk.
The precinct will become an important facility for the rehabilitation and breeding of wild Koalas, and will showcase local Biripi culture supporting Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council-run businesses.
Wildness Adventure will be developing an onsite ‘net park’ which will offer a tree canopy experience for visitors.
The park will be used to promote the sustainability of forest management, particularly the timber grown and produced in the local region, and the rehabilitation of koalas back into the wild.
Federal Member for Lyne David Gillespie said the tourism and cultural sectors are key drivers in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region and these improvements will boost the offering for visitors.
“Creating this nature-based tourism precinct will draw people to the region, support primary industries, create jobs and enhance economic and social recovery,” Dr Gillespie said.
“The bushfires and the Covid-19 health and economic pandemic have been devastating for our area and this announcement is just one part of the recovery journey as we continue to rebuild.”
Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said this funding builds on the $2.1 million from the NSW Government’s Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund.
“We are backing projects that will bring communities together, support tourism, provide improved and new social amenity, as well as increasing preparedness for future bushfires,” Mrs Williams said.
“This funding will ensure that the creative vision of the partners developing the precinct can be realised including the design, by world renowned Architect Professor Ken McBryde, for a public space in the heart of the precinct.
Kathy Lyons, Senior Manager of Stewardship Forestry Corporation of NSW said the partners in this precinct were thrilled with the investment which will allow the development of the precinct into a world-class tourism asset for the local community.
Amos Donovon, CEO Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council, said that this precinct will become an important venture for the employment and training for the local Aboriginal people.
“After consulting with Bunyah members of the Language group ‘we are thrilled to be involved and are excited to announce that the precinct has been named Guulabaa, the Gathang translation for Place of Koala,” Mr Donovon said.
“This precinct will showcase the Aboriginal Culture and Heritage of the Biripi people, sharing the knowledge of the land and how ‘We’ can have a sustainable ecosystem by showing the ways in which these can be performed.”
Koala Conservation Australia (Port Macquarie Koala Hospital) President Sue Ashton said the future of koala management could not be understated.
“The future of koalas is in our hands and this precinct will be the first ever conservation breeding facility for Koalas which will be returned to the wild,” she said.
It will also be an iconic tourist destination that highlights the importance of sustainability, renewable resources and the role people can all play in having a low carbon footprint.
Kathy Lyons, Senior Manager Stewardship Forestry Corporation of NSW said the precinct will provide the opportunity for locals and visitors to learn about old and new land management practices.
“This will include the use of traditional Aboriginal management practices such as cultural burning in a contemporary setting and how Forestry Corporation manages State Forests for multiple benefits including recreation, conservation and the sustainable production of renewable timber which stores carbon for life.”
To date, more than $2.3 billion in Australian Government support has been provided to help bushfire affected communities, including $1.6 billion spent so far from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund.
More than 80 per cent of the available funding has been used to help communities recover from the 2019-20 bushfires.
The Australian Government has opened applications for Round 3 – Bushfire Recovery Grants, $280 million will be available for projects to benefit communities impacted by the Black Summer Bushfires.
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