Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams announced the commencement of the next stage of construction of the tourism precinct known as Guulabaa – Place of Koala, at a sod-turning ceremony today in Cowarra State Forest.

The Hub infrastructure is central to the development of Guulabaa, linking Koala Conservation Australia/Port Macquarie Koala Hospital’s Wild Koala breeding facility, Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council café and gallery, Wildnets Adventure and Hello Koala’s The Big Koala. The Hub also provides for future expansion plans involving an outdoor learning amphitheater and more forest walks.

“I’m delighted to announce the beginning of construction of The Hub, with the appointment of north coast construction company F & SJ Maione,” Mrs Williams said.

“This investment of $2.3 million from the NSW Government’s Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package, combined with $2.1 million from the Forestry Corporation of NSW and the North Coast Timber industry, will boost the local visitor economy through supporting koala conservation, showcasing local Biripi Culture and extending our mid north coast forest-based tourism experiences.”

“In addition Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council were successful in being awarded funding under the NSW Government’s Creative Capital program and I’m so pleased they have received $250,000 for the next stage of the Guulabaa project-The Hub,” Mrs Williams said.

Utlising North Coast timbers, The Hub was designed by Architectural firm Gensler and supported by project engineers from TTW.

Architecture Design Director from Gensler, Ken McBryde said, “The Guulabaa project holds a very special place in our hearts at Gensler as it contributes to three crucial factors, being ecological, cultural and economic sustainability in Australia.

“Importantly, we are supporting North Coast communities by designing with locally sourced forest hardwood products, drawing upon innovative expertise in manufacturing, and local construction skills. Building from local hardwoods is environmentally sustainable because our hardwood forests are fully renewable. This reduces embodied carbon when compared to importing other materials such as steel and concrete from a distance,” Mr McBryde said. 

Managing director Frank Maione from F & SJ Maione said he was proud to be involved in a tourism investment project that uses natural and renewable timbers.

“We are thrilled to be awarded the opportunity to construct The Hub and be a part of such an important tourism and conservation project,” Mr Maione said.

Kathy Lyons, Senior Manager Forest Stewardship, Forestry Corporation of NSW, noted that The Hub would showcase beautiful, locally grown hardwood timbers, and highlighted the important role that Forestry Corporation and the North Coast Timber Industry plays in the community.

“Our state forests have been sustainably managed for over 100 years and the importance of local timber as a carbon friendly building product continues to grow,” Ms Lyons said.

“Supporting a sustainable, renewable, climate-friendly future is something that’s important to our organisation and to the communities within which we both live and work.”

“It’s great to see our local timber partners - Big River Group, Coffs Harbour Hardwoods, Machin’s Sawmilling, Hayden Timbers, Hurfords, Pentarch Forestry and Weathertex - supporting projects that are integral to building local visitor economies and sustainable tourism. It’s where we want to be,” Ms Lyons said.

“This is exactly the kind of project the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package is designed to deliver, and I look forward to seeing the official opening of this completed tourism precinct in the coming year,” Mrs Williams said.

The Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to delivering infrastructure projects that improve the productivity and competitiveness of the state.

For more information about the Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism fund, part of the $1.7 billion Regional Growth Fund, go to www.nsw.gov.au/rgetf