Leslie Williams puts case to Liberal colleague to buy prime koala habitat in Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams is calling for the government to purchase more than 200ha of land in Port Macquarie to help preserve the region as the world’s ‘koala capital.’
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A proposal to help preserve a pristine parcel of koala habitat at Port Macquarie has been put to a state government minister by one of its own MPs.
Port Macquarie State Liberal MP Leslie Williams has pitched the proposal for the acquisition of 200ha of land on the outskirts of the north coast town to NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean.
The large parcel of land borders the Lake Innes Nature Reserve at 147 Ruins Way in Port Macquarie and is made up of koala breeding grounds.
It adjoins the Innes Lake and Brierley Hill Estate which features some of the town's largest and newest infrastructure builds including the Charles Sturt University campus, St Columba Anglican School and Lakes Innes Village Shopping Centre.
Mrs Williams said it would be a smart investment by the state to consider making a bid for the land.
“I have written to the Minister the Environment, the Hon Matt Kean requesting the NSW Government work urgently to purchase the land, and I urge the government and the local landowner to negotiate a good outcome for our koalas,” Mrs Williams said.
“We all know the devastating impact that fires had on our local koala population and the fight to save hundreds of koalas which attracted international headlines.
“This is a prime opportunity for the Government to protect an area of land that is considered to be one of the last significant koala breeding grounds in the Hastings.
“Port Macquarie has the reputation of being the koala capital of the world and I don’t want to miss this chance to enhance preservation measures for this core koala habitat.
“The NSW Government is committed to securing our koalas in the wild with the NSW Koala Strategy and protecting more habitat will demonstrate our determination to safeguard the species.”
She said while there are a number of important investments in koala preservation and conservation currently underway, there was “still more work to do”.
“The upgrade of the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie and the development of the Cowarra State Forest Tourism Precinct which will include a wild koala breeding program are fantastic initiatives, but there is still more work to do,” she said.
“I know our community loves koalas as does the thousands of visitors who flock to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital each year but our expanding urban landscape means we have to focus on protecting their nearby habitat.”
The advertisement for the sale of the land suggests that it would be a suitable location for a future university accommodation precinct given its proximity to the existing CSU campus.
It also suggests that it would be worthy of an eco-tourism resort.
Expressions of interest [EOIs] are now open for potential investors.
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