October 12, 2012
The State Government has launched a new grants program for groups involved in koala conservation services.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said the Koala Rescue and Rehabilitation Grants would be available to eligible front-line organisations that work with sick, injured and orphaned koalas.
Mrs Frecklington said the State Government recognised that the decline of koala populations in Queensland was a significant issue.
“It is no secret that koalas are under significant pressure in Queensland, and while habitat loss is one contributing factor, we can’t look at these issues in isolation,” she said.
“By providing this funding for koala rescue and rehabilitation the Newman government is taking action to address other issues that affect koala numbers such as attacks from domestic animals and vehicle strike.”
She said the grants program would be aimed at building the capacity of koala conservation groups to enhance their ability to effectively deliver rescue and rehabilitation services now and into the future.
“The government is committed to koala conservation and has allocated $800,000 over the next four years to support the important work of koala rescue and rehabilitation services,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The Koala Rescue and Rehabilitation Grants will expand the scope of koala conservation programs beyond habitat protection and enhancement.”.
The grants are part of the government’s $26.5 million “Investing in our Koalas” policy.
In addition to the $800,000 available for rescue and rehabilitation services, the State Government launched a three-year, $22.5 million Koala Habitat Program earlier this year to target degraded koala habitat for acquisition and rehabilitation back to bushland.
A further $3.2 million will also made available over four years through a Koala Research Grants program to support research into disease and other preventable causes of death, injury and illness.
Applications for the rescue and rehabilitation grants open today and will close on December 7, 2012.
- For more information visit www.ehp.qld.gov.au
