The expected build date of Gunnedah's new koala park has been postponed yet again.
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It now won't be built until February 2022, months after the previous date of December 2021. This new date was listed in the November council papers, under the first quarter project report.
The papers state the date change was to "provide time for CaPTA to work through and consider their options following the impacts of COVID-19 on their business".
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A Gunnedah Shire Council spokesperson said it had been "working closely with CaPTA to progress this exciting project".
"COVID-19 has been a very challenging time for business operators, including tourism operators. The koala park is a long-term project and requires careful planning," the spokesperson said.
"We are happy to work with CaPTA to refine a model that suits both Gunnedah and CaPTA and learns from the business challenges 2020 has posed for tourism operators.
"Slight delays to the project will not impact on its long-term operation, and may add to its success."
CaPTA's research and development manager Andrew Hearn said the project was still "progressing at a good speed at the moment" despite this date change.
"We're happy with where it sits and everyone is happy with the way the designs are looking," Mr Hearn said.
"Everything is moving forward."
The eucalypt plantation component of the park is already underway, with 10,000 plants being planted on the Oxley Highway at the site, and on the Kamilaroi Highway near the Gunnedah Resource Centre.