"Our koalas are facing huge challenges including drought, disease, shrinking habitat, dogs and vehicles, and they need all the help they can get," Project Koala chair Marie Low said.

"At the moment, there is really only one koala carer standing between the Koala Capital and the continued alarming decline in koala numbers.

"A koala park with medical facilities and a conservation area could lend a great helping hand in not only promoting these gorgeous vulnerable animals, but keeping them alive and healthy."

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The community group is hoping "experienced, caring and credible organisations" will put their hands up to get involved in the development of the park. They would also like to see extensive community consultation throughout the process.

Koala activist Martine Moran has been calling for a medical facility for some time, and regularly takes koalas into care to treat them for injuries owing to road accidents, chlamydia, and heat stress.

Earlier this month, Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey told the NVI that construction could start this year, with hopes of opening in 2020.

The council is looking for an operator with networks in education and tourism.

Cr Chaffey said an operator would be chosen if koala conservation was "high on their agenda", as the council wanted it to have the "ability for sick and injured koalas to be taken in and cared for".

The council received $6.48 million in state government funds for the project in June 2018 through the Regional Communities Development Fund.

Waterways Wildlife Park was closed by the Department of Primary Industries in 2017 because of compliance matters.

Groups involved in wildlife, tourism, animal conservation, education or research can submit an expression of interest for the new koala park via www.tenderlink.com or by contacting the council on (02) 6740 2100.

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