Modifications to the Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management (CKPoM) were made after the NSW Environmental and Protection Authority (EPA) advised the plan should be more robust and council should “redefine the scientific justification” for “core koala habitat”.

The new CKPoM scales back the protected area from 2863ha to 1730ha - a near 40 per cent reduction to what was first considered a vital zone for koalas.

In addition, landholders who are affected by the plan’s restrictions to log will now be directly contacted by council to gauge their thoughts.

The alterations come as a blow to well known koala activist and Bellingen Environment Centre’s (BEC) Caroline Joseph. She told the Courier-Sun the these changes were a huge loss for the environmental protection of koala’s.

“The council’s plan to reduce the are of wildlife protection is a worrying and disappointing step,” Caroline said.

“The preservation of the koala and the economic benefit to the shire from their preservation has not been considered … this is the most valuable land for koala habitat across the state and it comes of the back of the State Government’s decision to cut the vegetation laws – this is a step backwards”.

Caroline said the BEC has writing to NSW State Government to “entreat politicians to recognise the unique nature of this land”.

The Courier-Sun understands the Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management returns for community consultation and public exhibition next month.