'Ineffective' koala policy would exempt 80% of land, NSW planning minister warned

Rob Stokes letter opposed carving out rural zones, which government has effectively adopted as policy

A senior New South Wales government minister last year warned rules intended to protect koalas in the state would be ineffective" if rural areas were excluded as it would mean about 80% of land was exempt.

The advice was given in a letter sent in August last year by the planning minister, Rob Stokes, to the deputy premier, John Barilaro.