Few animals are more iconic to Australia than the koala. Cuddly, world-famous, and deeply woven into our national identity.

But behind the cute image is a species in crisis. Habitat loss, bushfires, disease, car strikes, and climate change are pushing koalas towards extinction.

In NSW alone, koalas could become extinct by 2050 without urgent action. Last week the NSW state government announced a major move: a Great Koala National Park on the Mid North Coast. A nationwide chlamydia vaccine rollout is also coming.

But is it too little, too late? Can we save the koala ... and still make room for development, industry, and growth?