New polling by Australia’s leading polling company, reveals a large majority of voters support the creation of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) across the NSW mid-north coast, ahead of an imminent decision from the state government on the park’s establishment.
Research conducted by Pyxis Polling & Insights across late February and early March shows that residents in the state seats of Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, and Oxley strongly back the proposal to convert native bush in state forests to national parks where logging would not be permitted.
The polling, released to coincide with International Day of Forests found:
- 73% of Port Macquarie voters support the Great Koala National Park
- 70% of Coffs Harbour voters support the proposal
- 64% of Oxley voters are in favour
"These polling results confirm overwhelming community support for the Great Koala National Park among local communities," said Lyndon Schneiders, Executive Director of the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation (ACBF).
"Mid-north coast residents understand that koalas can’t protect themselves. They want native forests protected from logging to secure the future of one of our most precious creatures.”
The polling also revealed that a significant majority of voters believe logging is harmful to koalas, with 70% of respondents in both Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, and 66% in Oxley stating that logging is bad for koalas.
"Voters understand science, unlike some in the native forest logging industry. They know that logging disrupts and destroys vital habitat for endangered koalas. This is informed support based on a clear understanding of the threats koalas face,” Schneiders said.
The polling showed strong support across demographic groups, with particularly high levels of backing from women and younger voters. In Port Macquarie, 81% of women support the park versus 64% of men Notably, even among traditional National Party voters, significant numbers support the park's creation, with 48% of National voters in Coffs Harbour and 44% in Oxley supporting the proposal.
"When we see support crossing political lines, it demonstrates just how much the community values koalas and their habitat,” Schneiders said. “Voters on NSW’s mid-north coast understand native forests are worth more to the region if they’re protected and preserved, rather than chopped down for low-value products exported overseas.”
The proposed Great Koala National Park will protect approximately 176,000 hectares of state forest on the NSW Mid North Coast, an area containing habitat for up to 20% of the state's remaining wild koalas.
About the polling:
Polling was conducted by Pyxis Polling & Insights between February 26 and March 2, 2025, with 351 voters in Port Macquarie, 351 voters in Coffs Harbour, and 352 voters in Oxley.
