Koalas

Koalas are uniquely Australian and are much loved and iconic. The wild koala population in NSW is now at a critical point following the devastating impacts of the 2019-2020 bushfires. In February 2022, koalas in NSW as well as QLD and ACT, were officially considered an endangered species.

We all have a responsibility to ensure koalas survive into the future. This means maintaining koala habitat and reducing threats such as vehicle strikes, dog attacks and the removal of native vegetation.

In the Kempsey Shire, koalas were once common, featuring in local Indigenous law and legend. The place name Yarrahapinni comes from ‘yarra’, the Thunggutti/Dunghutti word for ‘koala’.