$1 million funding boost to help Mid North Coast communities and small business thrive with Great Koala National Park

The grant will enable the Mid North Coast Joint Organisation (MNCJO) to develop a comprehensive Five-Year Transition Action Plan. Funded through the Government's broader $6 million regional support package, the plan will map out strategic pathways for nature-based tourism, local job creation, small business support, First Nations economic opportunities as well as educational and upskilling programs for local workers.

Once established, the Great Koala National Park will reserve around 179,000 hectares of state forest. By linking with existing parks, it will create a spectacular 476,000-hectare reserve—among the largest in New South Wales.

To ensure the strategy is genuinely community-led, the MNCJO - representing the Bellingen, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Port Macquarie-Hastings, and Nambucca councils - will drive the plan in close partnership with local business chambers, First Nations organisations, and regional tourism bodies.

The MNCJO will employ a dedicated Regional Transition Officer for up to four years to help develop and roll out the plan, which is expected to be finalised by mid-2027.

This targeted regional support operates alongside the NSW Government’s major $140 million investment into the creation of the park, industry transition assistance, and a $5 million downstream support package.

To find out more about the Great Koala National Park, visit NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. 

Minister for the North Coast and Minister for Small Business Janelle Saffin said:

“The Great Koala National Park is a landmark win for conservation, but it’s also a generational economic opportunity to boost local tourism, grow small businesses, and create lasting jobs right across the Mid North Coast.

“Our local councils are closest to our communities. By backing the Mid North Coast Joint Organisation with nearly $1 million, we are putting local expertise at the wheel so a community-led transition action plan gives our regional industries and small businesses confidence that their voices are being heard.

“This funding ensures the North Coast is fully equipped to leverage its full economic potential—mapping out targeted small business support, expanding our visitor economy, and ensuring local communities remain at the forefront of this long-term transition.”

Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarty said:

“Forestry in NSW has a future, that is an important first principle to put out there, and we understand the impacts of the Great Koala National Park need to be analysed and well understood.

“Funding MNCJO to undertake this analysis work as part of the transition action plan is important to ensure communities and industry, including the timber and logging industry, are appropriately considered, and impacts and supports mapped out.”

MNCJO Chair, Cr Steve Allan said:

"This funding gives our region the opportunity to lead the conversation about what the future looks like for our communities, businesses and workers.

"We recognise that the establishment of the Great Koala National Park brings both opportunities and challenges, and it's important that local voices help shape the path forward. Through this transition plan, we'll work closely with our communities, local businesses, industry and Traditional Owners to understand the impacts, identify opportunities and ensure all community are involved in the best path forward.

"This is about creating a practical, locally informed plan that supports our regional economy while building on the unique natural assets that make the Mid North Coast such a special place."