Lease deal for new hospital

Above: Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital Foundation Director Christine West with Mayor Peter Flannery.

Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital Foundation has been given a $1 per annum peppercorn lease to establish its new facility at Dakabin.

An initial 10-year lease will allow the not-for-profit organisation to set-up and run the City’s first dedicated wildlife hospital.

Moreton Bay City Council endorsed the lease on Wednesday, just days after the State Government agreed $15 million funding for the project.

“Council is proud to support the delivery of our City’s first dedicated wildlife hospital, which will advance care of our native wildlife,” Acting Mayor Jodie Shipway said.

“Our decision to grant an initial 10-year community lease for the foundation comes after successfully advocating for state funding and allocating a $3 million parcel of Council land for its construction.

“This new facility will mean injured wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos and echidnas can be treated locally rather than being driven up to two hours for care at RSPCA in Wacol or Australia Zoo in Beerwah.”

Cr Yvonne Barlow (Div 7) said the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital and Education Hub would help protect wildlife against the impacts of human population growth.

“As we provide housing and infrastructure for our surging population, it’s important we support our native animals and this facility will do just that,” she said.

“Time is of the essence when it comes to injured wildlife, so it’s great our community leasing program will help pave the way for a local facility which will ultimately increase animal survival rates and lighten the load on wildlife carers."

Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital Foundation Director Christine West said the hospital is a “vital step” to reducing transport stress on injured animals.

“We are so grateful to the State Government and the City of Moreton Bay for their support and investment in this critical infrastructure,” she said.

Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital and Education Hub will also provide opportunities for the community to learn about local wildlife and help with care, rehabilitation and release.