What we are doing

Our goal is to protect and increase the koala population in the region. The Kempsey Shire Council Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management(PDF, 2MB) lists actions to improve koalas’ status in the area, including:

protect and increase koala habitat
create koala management areas at South West Rocks, Eungai Rail–Stuarts Point–Grassy Head, and Dondingalong–Kundabung–Crescent Head
foster habitat linkages
increase knowledge of koalas
reduce threats to koalas
work with landowners to keep or plant more koala-friendly vegetation
undertake koala sighting counts

Council works on several projects to address these actions.

Port Macquarie and Kempsey - Regional Koala Conservation Partnership

The NSW Government has partnered with Koala Conservation Australia in a four-year Regional Partnership to restore and improve koala habitat in the Port Macquarie and Kempsey region.

Kempsey Koala Habitat Mapping Project

These maps will provide vital information to plan for the future, protect, and manage these areas in a way that supports the survival of koalas.

Koala Food Tree Giveaway

The annual Koala Feed Tree Giveaway project sees around 2000 koala feed trees planted in the Kempsey Shire.

New vehicle-activated signs and road markings for local Koala Zones

New interactive road signs and highly visible road markings have been installed in two areas identified as key koala zones.