Australia Approves Record 4,000 Hectares Koala Habitat Destruction in 2025 Amid New Park Plans

In 2025, Australia has seen the worst year on record for federally approved koala habitat destruction, with nearly 4,000 hectares cleared, equivalent to about four Sydney airports, highlighting the failure of existing nature laws to protect the endangered species. The Australian Conservation Foundation and other conservationists emphasize that habitat destruction and fragmentation remain the leading threats to koalas, which were upgraded to endangered status in 2022. The Albanese government has approved significant habitat loss, including approval for a coal mine clearing over 1,100 hectares, while loopholes in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act allow much clearing without proper assessment. In response, the New South Wales government announced the establishment of the Great Koala National Park, a 476,000-hectare protected area connecting state forests to national parks, aiming to safeguard koalas and other species and reverse their decline by 2050. The park, supported by additional funding, is seen as a major conservation victory and a climate refuge for koalas, though advocates call for First Nations consultation on its management. Conservationists stress the urgent need for stronger, enforceable national laws and an independent watchdog to prevent further habitat destruction and potential extinction.