The NSW Government has purchased more than 40 hectares of pristine coastal land on the Coffs Coast to protect the habitat of some of Australia’s most threatened species.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the Government had spent $2.2 million buying two properties at Emerald Beach.
“Buying this land is an important step in conserving our native flora and fauna in the local area,” Mr Singh said.
“The community raised their concerns about allowing development on this land, and I’m glad it has now been preserved in perpetuity on behalf of the taxpayer.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the buyback would help protect native animals as well as provide public open space for the local community.
“More than one-third of this land includes trees that are used as habitat by koalas,” Mr Stokes said.
“The buyback will also support other endangered and threatened species including the glossy black cockatoo, the square-tailed kite and squirrel glider.
“Ultimately, this purchase safeguards the land from future development.”
The properties were bought under the Coastal Lands Protection Scheme which is used to acquire coastal land for public access, scenic value or environmental protection.
The NSW Government has also released the NSW Coastal Lands Protection Scheme Guidelines, which includes a nomination form, to make it easier to protect and preserve coastal land.
Since the scheme began in 1973, the Government has spent more than $60 million acquiring over 15,000 hectares of coastal land.
“This scheme – through an annual budget of $3 million – allows us to identify, acquire and protect pristine coastal land for generations to come,” Mr Stokes said.
“The guidelines encourage councils and the community to identify valuable public coastal assets for potential purchase and protection.”
For more information and to read the guidelines visit: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/coastallandsprotectionscheme
