Koala Picnic Welcome for NSW Upperhouse Politicians

Invitation to an early Koala picnic breakfast at Urunga and later in the day letting people know about the visit by seven NSW Upper House Parliamentarians into Koala Populations and their Welfare Cex Coffs Harbour.

Many people across the region may be very interested in either or both of these opportunities to show our support for Koalas and listen to local Gumbaynggirr representatives, scientists,  ecologists and local councils give evidence to the inquiry to be held in Coffs Harbour.

Details Attached:

BELLINGEN ENVIRONMENT CENTRE

4/1 Church Street Lane Bellingen 2454 PO Box 461 ABN 12 164 311 446

Dedicated to the conservation of the natural environment of the Bellinger Valley since 1990

Media Release

First opportunity for the community to support our koalas following the recent devastating fires

For Interview: Ashley Love Tel: 02 66 519620 0488699339

There will be two opportunities for the public to show their support for our nationally significant koala populations following the recent devastating bush fires when seven Upper House NSW Parliamentarians visit our area. On 4^th Feb, next Tuesday they will continue the inquiry into koalas and koala habitat see https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/inquiry-details.aspx?pk=2536

An invitation to the public to share a picnic breakfast and mingle with the politicians who will start the day with a visit to the “Great National Koala Park “(GNKP) centre, situated in the Visitors Information Centre at Ginegay way Urunga commencing at 0830-10.00am

Later that day at 1pm at the Rainbow Room, Cex Coffs Harbour, the Inquiry will convene to hear from local people interested and involved in koala management

The formal Inquiry commencing at 1pm at Coffs Harbour will take evidence about Koala welfare and their habitat from Gumbaynggirr Nation Representatives, local ecologists, and from representatives from Local Councils as part of an ongoing inquiry into the Health and ongoing Welfare of our Iconic and diminishing koala colonies across the Nation.

Speaking on behalf of the Bellingen environment Centre Ashley Love commented, “Public polling in the Advocate in past years revealed huge support from residents for the “Great National Koala Park “which will ensure a future for our Iconic koala”

Local communities have seen millions of hectares of lost habitat and the loss of a billion animals at close range. The tragic demise of koalas from recent fires at Port Macquarie and Kangaroo Island have shocked and saddened the public.

Ashley Love went on to say, “Following the recent damaging fires The koala colony running between Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Nambucca Heads is now the most significant colony of wild koalas across the Nation. “

The Bellingen Environment Centre is hoping for The Parliamentary Inquiry to fully support the “Great National Koala Park” to provide a real chance for restoration and recovery of koalas. These protections will also enable, local coastal communities affected by loss of nature tourism to thrive because of the countless tourism opportunities directly related to the GNKP.

We acknowledge the Aboriginal custodians of the land in the region where we live and work, the Gumbaynggirr people, and Elders past and present.

Caroline Joseph

0409996423