THE nucleus of a Port Stephens koala working group is expected to take shape in October to help preserve the species.
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Scot MacDonald, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, has met with the Environment Minister’s office, a high-level tourism adviser and Port Stephens representatives to discuss some of the preservation challenges.
A hospital and tourism facility at One Mile was at the top of the wish list.
"The pitch is that the volunteers are a bit stretched and they want to professionalise it," Mr MacDonald said.
"Their idea, for financial sustainability, is to bolt it onto tourism for ongoing funding."
The council and the society have developed a business model for the facility and Mr MacDonald said he was satisfied it had legs long term.
"It comes down to capital works and what the state government can do," Mr MacDonald said.
That will be one of the challenges for the working group which will draw together tourism, environment and roads departments.
Mr MacDonald said the working group's makeup must reflect the broad nature of the issue.
"It's getting urgent," he said.
"You can't just tackle it with a hospital and a tourism facility, it's pointless without looking at habitat and addressing the roads issue.”
Since 2011 there’s been 28 koala deaths on Port Stephens Drive.
The society wanted the speed limited dropped from 80kmh to 60km. Councillor John Nell suggested crossing devices instead and that could become reality.
"I've even asked the transport people if these crossing work and their advice is largely, they do,” Mr MacDonald said.
"I hope that the working group will pull together a good Port Stephens koala strategy and be in a good position ask for money."
Mr MacDonald acknowledged that the issues were man made
"Part of the systemic issue is the loss of habitat.
"The council needs to be more strategic about the land it releases for development, too.”
The council said it has always sort to strike a balance.