NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has struck a deal with her Nationals colleagues over the state's koala protection policy that nearly imploded the coalition government.
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Ms Berejiklian said she's reached a balanced outcome with her coalition partner over the State Environmental Planning Policy (Koala Habitat Protection) which will be taken to cabinet next week.
"I am very pleased to say ahead of the cabinet meeting on Tuesday the NSW coalition has rested on a very balanced and fair approach," she told reporters on Friday.
"It was never our intention to have to go through the process we did, but that is what it is."
Ms Berejiklian said the deal ensures koalas are protected but also that farmers are not adversely impacted by the policy.
Acting Deputy Premier Paul Toole said under the changes farmers will be primarily able to continue doing what they're currently able to do.
"Unless there are significant changes to the use of your land, you will not be impacted by the SEPP - that's when it triggers off," he told reporters.
"Farming has been taken out of that SEPP."
The Nationals wanted several changes made to the policy including the removal of the controversial koala mapping which has now been agreed to.
They were concerned the policy would limit land use on farms and the ability to rezone areas for development as more trees would be classed as koala habitat, which would restrict the clearing of land.
Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall said it was a "huge win" for agriculture, farms and the environment.
He said the deal will ensure agriculture and farming will continue to be regulated by existing land management codes and private native forestry will still be regulated under the existing code arrangements.
The agreement comes three weeks after NSW Nationals leader and deputy premier John Barilaro threatened to implode the coalition government if concessions to the policy weren't made.
He had argued the laws are a "nail in the coffin for farmers" and in September threatened to take his MPs to the cross bench over changes to the policy.
The premier stared down Mr Barilaro's threats and issued an ultimatum that either the Nationals MPs support the government or its ministers would be sacked from cabinet
Shortly after the stoush, Mr Barilaro announced he was going on mental health leave for up to four weeks.
It means he'll likely miss the October 6 cabinet meeting in which the vexed koala protection policy is expected to be debated.
Australian Associated Press
