We recognise the importance of working together and respecting local and cultural knowledge in koala conservation. To support this, we continue to build relationships with local councils, other government agencies, land managers, koala rehabilitators, community organisations, local Aboriginal groups, communities, business and industry, and the research sector.
These partnerships use local expertise and knowledge to guide where money is spent and coordinate well-planned on-ground actions to protect koalas and their habitat. Partnerships will also help encourage the private sector to invest in koala conservation.
Key investments and 2026 targets include:
- $15.7 million to deliver up to 11 regional partnerships
- $3.9 million to support 12 local councils to develop koala habitat maps.
Regional partnerships
Our regional koala conservation partnerships draw on community and scientific expertise to carry out practical actions that protect local koala populations and their habitat. This work is guided by the 4 pillars of the NSW Koala Strategy:
- koala habitat conservation and restoration
- supporting local communities to conserve koalas
- improving the safety and health of koalas
- building our knowledge of koalas.
Partnerships we support include:
- Far North Coast Aboriginal Partnership
- Far South Coast Aboriginal Partnership
- Guula Country Partnership
- MidCoast and Port Stephens
- Northern Rivers
- Northern Tablelands
- Port Macquarie and Kempsey
- Southern Highlands
- Southern Tablelands
- South-west Sydney.
Local koala habitat maps
Our scientific experts are supporting local councils to develop maps that improve understanding of koala habitat. Local councils can then use these maps to inform planning and support koala conservation in their local government area.
For example, MidCoast Council carried out extensive habitat mapping surveys, identifying several high-density koala sites. The local community provided strong support. Many landholders joined MidCoast Council’s Koala Safe Spaces Program and undertook on-ground koala conservation to restore and protect koala habitat.
Find out more about MidCoast Council’s Koala Safe Spaces Program.
Koala Smart school education program
Koala Smart is a free, curriculum-aligned, online program for primary and secondary schools. It provides teachers with practical tools and resources to help students learn about koala conservation.
Koala Smart provides learning modules to help students design koala conservation projects for their communities.
Learning modules include:
- lesson plans
- PowerPoint presentations
- worksheets and activities
- virtual field excursions
- support scheduling guest speakers and excursions.
The students involved in this program may become future leaders. Koala Smart could be their first step into to the world of conservation. Education empowers children to take actions that promote positive change and contribute to a brighter future for koalas.
Originally founded by the Tacking Point Lions Club, Koala Smart is supported by the NSW Koala Strategy to ensure content remains factual and up to date.
For more information and to register, visit Koala Smart.
More information on how we support local communities can be found under Pillar 2 in the NSW Koala Strategy.