$15 million boost for wildlife hospital

A dedicated wildlife hospital will be built in the City of Moreton Bay, with $15 million funding confirmed today for the critical project.

The State Government has signed the funding agreement for the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital and Education Hub on a $3 million parcel of Council land.

The 1.6 hectare site is at Dakabin, close to Old Gympie Rd, Boundary Rd and the Bruce Highway.

Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell made the announcement today at the City of Moreton Bay’s Leaders’ Forum.

“For several years, we have been working with the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital Foundation to bring this much-needed facility to life,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.

“This new facility will deliver world-class care for our local wildlife, including native species such as koalas, sugar gliders, wallabies and kangaroos.

“It will mean injured wildlife can be treated locally rather than being driven up to two hours for emergency care at RSPCA in Wacol or Australia Zoo in Beerwah, increasing animal survival rates and easing the workload on local carers and rescuers.”

City of Moreton Bay has a diverse range of animal species and one of the largest koala populations in the state.

The wildlife hospital will also enable the community to engage with and learn about local wildlife and assist in their care, rehabilitation and release.

“The Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital will ease pressure on nearby facilities and veterinarians, helping more animals be rehabilitated and released back into the wild to protect native wildlife for generations to come,” Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said.

“This investment is part of the Queensland Government’s $39.6 million boost for the State’s wildlife hospital networks.”

Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital Foundation Director, Christine West said the milestone marks a significant turning point for wildlife care in the City.

“Finalising this grant means we can now get on with the job of building the hospital our community has been working toward for so long,” she said.

“We are grateful for the support of the Queensland Government and City of Moreton Bay in helping us make this vision a reality.”

Council runs a number of wildlife and environment initiatives, including its Land Buyback for Environmental Purposes Program and Going Green as We Grow to preserve 75 per cent of the City as rural and natural landscapes.