The next stage of the $22.7 million Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary is underway with an official ‘sod turn’ at the facility this week.
The NSW Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional NSW, and Minister for Western NSW, Tara Moriarty, joined Gunnedah Shire Council for a tour of the already completed parts of the sanctuary.
This included the finished main building for the koala hospital and ICU rooms, as well as gift shop, ticketing areas and large café.
The focal point of the building is an expansive verandah which overlooks the western edge of the 50-acre bushland site off the Oxley Highway.
The upcoming stage three of the project will include construction of the caretaker’s residence, the volunteers’ accommodation building, an amenities building associated with the ‘glamping’ tents and campervan park, as well as a koala viewing ring and wildlife walk with animal enclosures.
This work is expected to be completed by December before an anticipated park opening in March-April next year.
Breaking ground on stage three of the Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary.
The sanctuary, however, is facing one major roadblock to its 2026 launch – procurement of a new park operator.
The previous operator listed for the sanctuary, CaPTA Group, withdrew its backing in 2021 citing difficulties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is understood Gunnedah Shire Council is in talks with several park operators but less than a year from the opening date, nothing has been confirmed.
In recent months the sanctuary has been targeted by those critical of Gunnedah Shire Council’s upcoming special rate variation.
Council is due to impose a permanent, cumulative 37.67 per cent rate increase to be implemented over two years.
Those critical of the sanctuary infrastructure spend argue the funds would be better spent elsewhere.
Funding figures show more than $20 million of the $22.7 million koala sanctuary is being funded by the NSW Government.
Whitehaven Coal is also investing $2 million and Gunnedah Shire Council $559,752.
Gunnedah shire mayor Colleen Fuller was confident the koala sanctuary would deliver in spades for the region.
“It’s not a big outlay for the community in the long term and it’s a massive gain,” Cr Fuller said this week.
“Whether that’s job opportunities for the future or tourism, this will help build our community.”
Minister Moriarty, who was also in town for the official opening of the Gunnedah Saleyards Redevelopment, even pledged to book a stay in the onsite accommodation.
“I’m going to be certainly doing that when I’m back here,” the Minister said.
It is not known how many koalas will be cared for at the sanctuary or where they would come from but the Minister suspected they would be koalas from the local area.
“[Koalas] are at risk because of urbanisation of communities, but also disease, road trauma and other animals,” she said.
“This will protect the koalas where they live, as they’re very territorial.”
She said the sanctuary would be a great asset for the protection of koalas and a boost for the local area.
“I look forward to seeing the benefits for Gunnedah and the broader region from these facilities,” she said.
Gunnedah shire councillor Cameron Moore, general manager Eric Groth, councillor Robert Hoddle, NSW Minister Tara Moriarty, Gunnedah shire mayor Colleen Fuller, Whitehaven Coal general manager community engagement Darren Swain, councillor Ann Luke and project manager Phillip Lindfield, at the official ‘sod turn’ to mark the start of stage three of the Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary project.
