MidCoast Koala Reference Group

The MidCoast Koala Reference Group has been formed to support the implementation of the MidCoast Regional Partnership (MRP) Project being funded by the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) under the NSW Koala Strategy. The Reference Group was established by Council at the 14 December 2022 Council meeting (resolution 531/2022).

The NSW Koala Strategy has provided funding to MidCoast Council for the MRP Project which involves three key actions:

  • recruitment of a Koala Project Officer over a 4-year term to assist Council in delivering local koala conservation actions
  • preparation of mapping to identify strategically important koala habitat areas in the MidCoast, and
  • using the koala habitat mapping to inform the possible development of a draft Koala Plan of Management with the aim of maintaining and enhancing priority koala habitat areas in the MidCoast LGA.

The Reference Group will provide input to the development of the Koala Plan of Management that will highlight key projects in priority koala habitat areas of the MidCoast. It is intended that this strategic document will frame the successful delivery of local actions under the NSW Koala Strategy.  

Reference Group members

Councillor Representatives

Cr C Pontin

Cr D Smith

Cr P Epov 

Industry representatives

Reegan Walker – NSW Dept Planning

John Turbill – NSW Dept Planning

Doug Beckers – National Parks & Wildlife

Nick Godfrey-Smith – Crown Lands

Rye Gollan – Hunter Local Lands Services

Community members

Shaun Tamplin

Jessica Leck

Ian Morphett

Paul McLeod

Megan Bensen

Chris Sheed

Phil Lidbury

Deborah Willis