In a show or strong force, a delegation representing a significant number of community groups has sent a clear message to the federal government and environment minister Sussan Ley to act before it's too late.

The Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens (KKEPS) is made up of representatives from the Myall Koala & Environmental Support Group, Tilligerry Habitat, Hunter Botanic Gardens, Boomerang Park Preservation Group, National Parks Association and Voices of Woodford and Wallalong, which includes the Save Port Stephens Koalas group from Brandy Hill, and individual members.

"Many have been members of environmental groups for more than 20 years and have a broad range of experience and qualifications," said convenor and former Port Stephens Koalas president Carmel Northwood.

"In June this year EcoNetwork held a meeting of affiliates and members and by far the biggest concern was the survival of the koala population in Port Stephens. Out of this came a determination to pool resources and work together to have a positive impact on the plight of the koala."

One of their first missions was to write to the Bushfire Affected Species Assessments Section of the Protected Species and Communities Branch and Minister Ley.

"Our koalas are facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future ... I'd say it's desperation stakes," added Ms Northwood.

"All koalas in NSW are expected to be extinct by 2050, as assessed by the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Koala Populations and Habitat in NSW, released in June 2020.

"A mosaic of local extinctions is already occurring in certain areas or Port Stephens. Raymond Terrace has had no sightings in the last few years, while Williamtown and Medowie sightings have become very rare as habitat is continually being cleared or felled for housing and industrial expansion.

"Also, bushfires burn through possible habitat areas more frequently and there is no conservation planning implemented for wildlife corridors to be retained."

In NSW, the State Environment Minister Kean is concerned at the near 60 per cent increase in habitat clearance since the state relaxed its native-vegetation laws in 2017.

"A further 24 per cent of all modelled koala habitat has been impacted by the black summer bush-fires of 2019 and lower numbers of local rescue suggest a reduction in the local koala population," Ms Northwood said.

"I also understand that a recent DNA study of koalas in Port Stephens showed a reduction in genetic diversity due to habitat fragmentation."

The KKEPS strongly supports the Threatened Species Scientific Committee's call to up-list the koala from vulnerable to endangered.

"We want that listing upgraded to critically endangered."

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