19 February, 2021

The new Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary has reached a major milestone with Gunnedah Shire Council lodging a development application with the NSW Government Regional Planning Panel for a state-of-the-art facility.

Gunnedah Shire Council has lodged plans for the 50-acre bush sanctuary which will include a wildlife centre and koala hospital, koala sanctuary and a petting zoo. The plans will now be made available for public comment as part of the State Government development approvals process.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the plans, in partnership with experienced tourism operator CaPTA, would bring to life a vision of a major tourist attraction with benefits for a much-loved Gunnedah resident.

“This wonderful project will not only provide a hospital to help address the health issues of our koalas and that of surrounding areas, but will give the world another reason to visit the Koala Capital of the World,” Cr Chaffey said.

“In conjunction with our proposed operator, the CaPTA Group, who operate very successful wildlife destinations in Far North Queensland, Gunnedah Shire Council is looking forward to this becoming something we can all be proud of.

“It will be a purpose-built koala sanctuary with a number of exciting innovations, including volunteers’ accommodation with backpacker-style housing for up to 16 people, allowing people from around the country and the world to experience working with Australia’s wildlife.”

CaPTA Group Operations and Projects Director Michael Woodward said CaPTA was “delighted” the development application was being lodged.

“Having operated several wildlife parks and a wildlife care centres in Far North Queensland, we have first-hand experience in the synergies of wildlife attractions and wildlife hospitals, particularly the potential for animal keepers to care for wildlife in need,” Mr Woodward said.

“When we heard about the vision of Gunnedah Shire Council to build a sanctuary to protect the vulnerable koala species – we were motivated by the prospect of saving the koala species whilst also increasing regional tourism.”

CaPTA Research and Development Manager Andrew Hearn said it had taken a lot of work to get to this stage.

“We are extremely pleased with the practical and aesthetic designs that the architect has master-planned in conjunction with us,” he said. “It is also pleasing that the degraded site is being rehabilitated to the benefit of both the environment, and the economy. We are eagerly anticipating the next stages of Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary.”

The plans designed by Dunn & Hillam Architects for the staged project include a large wildlife centre and hospital building to house the main entry, shop and café, education auditorium, aviary/animal enclosure and the hospital. A viewing deck will allow views into the koala clinic and the two larger intensive care units.

Also in the plans are a petting zoo, a nature playground, koala and other animal enclosures, a wildlife sanctuary walk, a caretaker’s residence, picnic areas, a cultural heritage display and demonstration area, bush-themed mini-golf and zipline, caravan sites and safari tent accommodation.

“Estimates have shown the koala sanctuary is likely to attract about 70,000 visitors each year and inject millions into our local economy,” Cr Chaffey said. “It is truly an exciting time for our Shire as we progress a project that could have significant conservation and economic benefits.”

The Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary project has secured $6.48 million through the NSW Government’s Regional Social Benefit Infrastructure Fund. Council also resolved this week to apply for $1.75 million through the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund to allow both stages of the project to proceed as soon as possible.

Thousands of trees have already been planted at two plantation sites to provide food for the park’s koalas.

The DA will be available to view on the NSW Planning Portal in the coming days.

Fast facts:

10,000 trees are being planted for Gunnedah Koala Park koalas.

Adult koalas eat between 200 and 500g of leaves a day

The Koala Sanctuary hospital plans include: four small and two large intensive care units, up to 12 small animal enclosures, a large clinic, separate reception area, external rehabilitation enclosures and seven pre-release enclosures

Oxley Highway frontage with entry on Hunts Road to minimise impact on traffic flow

Wildlife such as emus and kangaroos will roam freely in the pond and picnic zone

The animals will be protected with predator-proof external fencing

The volunteers’ accommodation will house up to 16 people

The plans are green-friendly with extensive rainwater collection and solar systems.

Caption: An artist’s impression of the new Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.