In our work to protect koala habitat, we:
- purchase land that contains high-quality koala habitat and permanently conserve it as part of the national park system
- support landholders interested in protecting koala habitat on their land with a conservation agreement.
High-quality koala habitat
For land to be considered to contain a high-quality koala habitat, it may:
- contain koala food trees, such as preferred eucalyptus species forest
- contain evidence of use by koalas
- be well-connected to surrounding vegetation or forest and not disrupted by roads or open land
- enable management of threats to koalas.
You may be able to sell your property to NPWS
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is looking for land with high-quality koala habitat. Properties must be offered to NPWS or be available on the open market.
Community groups and other people interested in koala conservation can also propose land they think may have high-quality koala habitat. This land must be available on the open market or offered to NPWS.
Landholders interested in offering land to NPWS to conserve koala habitat can make an offer.
Contact the Assessments and Acquisitions Unit by email or post at:
- [email protected]
- Assessments and Acquisitions Unit
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Locked Bag 5022
Parramatta NSW 2124.
Your offer should include:
- your contact details
- lot and deposited plan numbers of the land or a map
- an asking price, if known
- conditions associated with the offer of sale, if applicable
- the reasons your land may be important for koalas.
The Assessments and Acquisitions Unit will assess whether the land is suitable for addition to the national park estate.
Offering your property to NPWS does not commit you to anything and does not influence your personal or business decisions. The assessment process will determine whether NPWS has an interest in your property, after which a number of steps need to be taken before NPWS may enter into negotiations to purchase your property.
Land is assessed to determine whether it includes suitable koala habitat and meets conservation criteria for the national park system.
For more information on this process, go to Acquiring land for new parks.
Protect and restore koala habitat on your property
From small blocks to large farms, every landholder can take simple actions to support koalas and other native wildlife.
Protect existing habitat
Protecting native vegetation is one of the most effective ways to support koalas. Simple actions such as fencing off habitat to prevent livestock access can make a big difference:
- Work with your local council, Landcare network or plant nursery to identify and conserve high-value habitat on your property.
- Private landholders can permanently protect koala habitat on their land by entering into a private land conservation agreement with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust. Find out more about conservation opportunities on your land at Biodiversity Conservation Trust.
- Landholders can also permanently protect koala habitat and benefit from biodiversity credits with a biodiversity stewardship agreement.
Restore koala habitat
Controlling weeds and reducing invasive species improves access to koala food trees and supports natural regeneration:
- Managing grazing pressure helps koalas safely access key parts of the landscape.
- For support about how to manage koala habitat on your land, you can also contact your Local Land Services office.
Create new habitat
Planting koala food and habitat trees helps restore and connect koala corridors:
- Identify key koala movement corridors on your property and collaborate with neighbours to enhance these pathways.
- Plant local koala food and habitat tree species suited to your area.
- Get in touch with your local koala organisation for koala restoration advice and information about local support and initiatives.
Living with koalas
Watch the 'Living with koalas' video series to see how landholders across New South Wales are taking practical steps to protect and enhance koala habitat.
