Gunnedah koala park eucalypt plantation tree-planting begins

Field's Environmental Solutions have already planted 2500 trees, sourced from Mrs Hath's Forest Nursery, with a total of 10,000 to be planted.

The little saplings have been planted on the Kamilaroi Highway at the Gunnedah Resource Centre, and will also be planted at the Oxley Highway site where the park will be located.

Field's will be taking care of the planting of all the trees, according to a Gunnedah Shire Council spokesperson.

"The plantation includes a variety of species that will be used for food trees for the koalas," the spokesperson said.

"Planting is being carried out ahead of the hottest time of the year to allow establishment of the trees."

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Gunnedah councillors voted at the September ordinary meeting for the planting to begin in time for the koala park's opening. This is estimated to be in December 2021, at the earliest.

Funds to the tune of $60,000 have been sourced from the Community Resilience - Farmer Army Project.

The $6.6 million koala park will be built on council-owned land next to Balcary Park on the Oxley Highway, and will be run by the CaPTA Group.

It's set to include a a koala hospital and educational centre, wildlife sanctuary area, eucalypt plantation, resident animals, accommodation, restaurant and function area, and mini golf course.

Future stages may include a ropes course and zip lining and Indigenous history education and showcase area.

The council-owned block of land is about 50 acres and is known as "Farmers and Graziers". The neighboring block is used by Gunnedah Motorcycle Racing Club.

The council received $6.48 million for the project through the state government's Regional Communities Development Fund.