A DPI spokesperson said they will not renew Waterways Wildlife Park’s licence and permit allowing them to keep or display animals for public exhibition​ due to ongoing compliance matters.

“The NSW DPI has been working with the operators of Waterways Wildlife Park in relation to their failure to comply with the terms and conditions of their licence and permit under the Exhibited Animals Protection Act 1986,” a DPI spokesperson said.

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“Due to ongoing compliance matters, DPI will not be renewing Waterways Wildlife Park licence and permit. Therefore the operator cannot display for public exhibition​, or keep for display any animals for public exhibition​. 

“This decision is effective immediately. While the owners can keep some animals for private purposes, DPI will work with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, the NSW Fauna and Marine Parks Association as well as the Zoo and Aquarium Association to assist in ​dispersing more than 120 native birds and mammals that cannot be legally kept on the premises.”

Speaking to the NVI on Monday, park owner Nancy Small said they had tried desperately to meet their “paperwork” obligations and remain open but to no avail.

“We couldn’t meet their requirements,” Mrs Small said. 

“We couldn’t negotiate any further.”

A sign outside Waterways’ locked front gate reads: “DPI closed this park owning to lack of paperwork”.

Mrs Small is holding out hope the park would open again sometime in the future.

“We’re going to try and reapply to open,” she said. “But it will take a while.”

Many NVI readers expressed their regret at the park’s immediate closure.

“It's so sad. It's a beautiful park to walk around,” one reader commented. “A place where kids aren't walking around with their eyes looking at a screen. It's a great place to expose the fact we are the koala capital of the world.”