This petition calls on the NSW Environment Minister and Treasurer Hon Matt Kean to help secure the nationally significant koala population in Port Macquarie by purchasing the 200 hectare area of koala habitat at 147 The Ruins Way, Lake Innes with budget already allocated to the NSW Koala Strategy.

This large intact area of habitat is considered to be one of the last significant koala breeding grounds in the region and its preservation is essential to the conservation of the region's genetically diverse koala population that is already under significant pressure due to ever-increasing urbanisation.

The land is currently being pitched for sale as a development opportunity, however the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has previously recommend the land be added to the NSW national parks estate in late 2020 and member for Port Macquarie The Hon. Leslie Williams MP has also recognised the importance of the area and requested that it be purchased by the NSW government.

As someone who volunteers to help rescue and rehabilitate koalas in Port Macquarie, I see the very real and devastating impacts of habitat loss and fragmentation on koalas first hand, and the bottom line is that if this critical piece of koala habitat is lost, it will likely spell the end of Port Macquarie's nationally significant koala population.