The September-long campaign by the Examiner has coincided with Save the Koala Month and delved into the issues the species faces in Port Stephens.

“The [state] government as accepted all of our arguments for a koala hospital here,” Hunter Koala Preservation Society vice president Ron Land said.

“This campaign has given us serious fire power.”

The society has proposed to build a koala hospital and tourist facility at the Treescape camp ground, One Mile.

Scot MacDonald, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, heard the call and set up a meeting with the office of Environment Minister Mark Speakman. It also included a high-level tourism adviser and Port Stephens Council general manager Wayne Wallis. 

“We were given quite a bit of time, it went very well,” Mr Land said.

“If we don’t build it we won’t have a koala population here.”

The state government has begun to piece together a working group to share resources and address threats to the population in Port Stephens.

“It’s an essential step in the process when we’re seeking substantial funds,” Mr Land said.

“The advocacy and cooperation needed to fulfill this project is of the highest level.”

The latest cost estimate for the hospital’s construction has been put as high as $2.5 million. For more on the working group turn to page 7.