December 8, 2021

Gunnedah’s new Koala Sanctuary has reached an exciting milestone with the news the development application has been approved by the NSW Government.

Gunnedah Shire Council submitted the application to the NSW Northern Regional Planning Panel in March and remains committed to bringing this important project to life despite the worldwide challenges 2021 has brought.

Gunnedah Shire Council Acting General Manager Colin Formann said the approval was good news for Gunnedah.

“Approval of the development application is the tick that was needed to allow Gunnedah Shire Council to go ahead with construction of the Koala Sanctuary,” Mr Formann said.

“Council continues to look at options for the eventual operation of the sanctuary, a process that will run alongside construction.

“We remain very positive about this project and what it will mean for both koala conservation and tourism in Gunnedah.”

The development application included plans for a koala hospital, a camping ground, accommodation and other activities.

Preliminary preparation work is already underway on the 50-acre bushland site on the Oxley Highway, and 10,000 koala food trees have been planted.

The Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary project secured $6.48 million through the NSW Government’s Regional Social Benefit Infrastructure Fund.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson at the Koala Sanctuary site earlier this year.

ENDS

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