While people thrive in this area's coastal communities it's generally come at the expense of koala habitat as more homes are built to house a growing population.

In their hunt for trees koalas too often encounter cars and domestic dogs - two major threats to the species other than disease, according to rescuers.

September is Save the Koala Month. In each edition of the month the Examiner will explore what must be done to protect the species.

“We’re past the point where we can sit back and watch, we need to act now,” Hunter Koala Preservation Society care and rescue coordinator Simone Aurino said.

“It’s time for swift action and reaction.” 

The society’s highest priority is a koala hospital and rehabilitation centre proposed for One Mile.

The facility would not only draw together veterinary specialists, academics and students but provide focus for habitat improvement and a breeding program.

The facility at Treescape is expected to cost about $500,000. The society has committed $160,000 toward this and Port Stephens Council is part way through a business case that is likely to include tourism.

"The hospital is going to be instrumental for us to coordinate all of our efforts," Ms Aurino said.

“It’s money we’re going to have to raise from grants to corporate sponsorship and donations.”

At the time of publication there were eight koalas - mostly rescued from Port Stephens - in care with volunteers in their homes.

When the hospital is built the society will need more volunteer help when the preservation program grows.

The society already has ties to various universities and those relationships will only flourish in the hospital.

"One major project we want to do, in conjunction with the experts, it to identify our core habitat and how we can improve it," Ms Aurino said.

"At least then we'll know what has to be done to sustain the population.”