Upgrade highway and protect koalas: Labor

A local koala population can live alongside the upgrade to the Pacific Highway in northern NSW, the state opposition says.

NSW Labor environment spokeswoman Penny Sharpe says the upgrade near Ballina doesn't need to come at the expense of the local koala population.

A petition with 17,149 signatures seeking to change the route of the upgrade was handed to Ms Sharpe in front of NSW Parliament House on Thursday.

A population of about 200 koalas will be affected under the current upgrade plans.

"Everyone supports the upgrade of the Pacific Highway, but we believe you can do both," Ms Sharpe said.

"We can protect threatened species and we can upgrade the highway."