The 200ha property is currently on the market and borders the Lake Innes Nature Reserve in Port Macquarie.

"I welcome the support of the group Koala Custodians and urge the community to get behind this important petition 'requesting that the NSW Government purchase this land and protect it in perpetuity via a Nature Reserve or other secure, non-reversible tenure," Mrs Williams said.

Read more: Koala Custodians rally NSW government to purchase koala land

"The Koala Custodians agree that this is a prime opportunity for the Government to protect an area of land that is considered to be one of the last significant koala breeding grounds in the Hastings.

"Port Macquarie has the reputation of being the koala capital of the world and I don't want to miss this chance to enhance preservation measures for this core koala habitat.

"The NSW government is committed to securing our koalas in the wild with the NSW Koala Strategy and protecting more habitat will demonstrate our determination to safeguard the species."

The Port Macquarie property, one of the largest prime residential releases left in the region for redevelopment, is currently on the market and borders the Lake Innes Nature Reserve from St Columba Anglican School through to the Lake Innes ruins.

The land sale at 147 The Ruins Way is open to expressions of interest and is broken down into four blocks earmarked for potential residential living, university accommodation, eco-tourism resort development or biodiversity off-setting for development.

The parcel of land is flagged as one of the most unique koala habitats on the east coast of NSW.

The Lake Innes Nature Reserve, Innes Peninsula and the area towards Lake Innes Drive is known as a koala hub.

The region is commonly called the engine room and is where the genetic stock of the Port Macquarie, Lake Cathie, Bonny Hills, and to some extent, the Wauchope koalas came from.

The area has a genetically diverse source population of koalas. Genetic diversity is important when it comes to koala population health and resilience.

Mrs Williams has written to the Minister for the Environment, the Hon Matt Kean requesting the NSW government work urgently to purchase the land.

Les Mitchell, spokesperson for Koala Custodians said the group is grateful for Mrs Williams' strong support, both for the NSW government to acquire this core koala habitat and for the petition.

"I congratulate her on her commitment to see such habitat protected for the long-term survival of koalas in our region," Mr Mitchell said.

Mr Mitchell worked at the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for nearly 30 years and is also a member of a number of environmental groups.

"My passion for koalas comes from the fact I have been involved in the natural environment and koalas are an integral part of that.

"They are a keystone species because if we can protect koala habitat we can protect a lot of other species too."

Mr Mitchell is the conservation officer for the Hastings Birdwatchers and said koala feeding trees are also vital to the survival of critically endangered birds such as the Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot.

CLICK HERE to find the ePetition titled 'Purchase Critical Koala Habitat in Port Macquarie.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: