Port Stephens groups involved in koala care and conservation are being invited to apply for their share in a $10 million Australian Government funding stream to protect the vulnerable species on the East Coast.
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Part of a wider $50m package to be delivered over the next four years to "boost the long-term protection and recovery efforts" of Australia's koalas, $10m has been allocated to community-led initiatives.
To highlight the organisations and activities in Port Stephens dedicated to koalas and how further funds would benefit the area, the Liberal Party's federal election candidate for Paterson, Brooke Vitnell, invited federal environment minister Sussan Ley to visit Oakvale Wildlife Park on Monday.
"We have terrific organisations in Port Stephens like Oakvale Wildlife Park that would benefit from these funds," Ms Vitnell said.
"I am a general member of Port Stephens Koalas myself and know how beloved this native icon is for our community. Protecting koalas is an absolute priority for the people of Port Stephens and the Hunter."
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Ms Ley viewed Oakvale's koala enclosure and spoke with owners Kent and Leanne Sansom about the wildlife park's breeding program and educational activities.
"When I meet people like Kent and Leanne and see the work they're doing for koalas I feel really pleased to see that we have this work going on in the local regions," she said.
"I'm really impressed with the education facility here. Oakvale is not only a conservation organisation but an educational one.
"We're very serious about all the work that we want to do as a federal government to protect and enhance the health and the habitat of our koalas.
"Much of our package [$20m] goes towards habitat but there's clear opportunities for community to approach the government for funding for work that does benefit our koalas."
While Ms Ley could not confirm whether money would flow into Port Stephens, she said organisations such as Oakvale were eligible to apply for funds.
Asked about development and habitat loss in the area, in particular the Brandy Hill quarry expansion in which Ms Ley controversially approved in 2020, the minister stated that the Commonwealth was committed to koalas.
"When we restore and invest in koala habitat it makes sense to do it where the koala trees are, where the koala corridors are and where there are strong areas of habitat and we can act on a landscape scale," she said.
"Every level of government has to act when it comes to koalas. A lot of the issues that [community] angst concerns is state government planning processes. What we're doing as a federal government is taking the lead with serious investment in this iconic species."
- $20 million for habitat and health protection projects - grants for large-scale activities run by Natural Resource Management and non-government organisations, industry, and Indigenous groups, as well as state and territory governments.
- $10 million for community-led initiatives - grants for local habitat protection and restoration activities, health and care facilities, and citizen science projects.
- $10 million to extend the National Koala Monitoring Program - to identify trends over time, increase the number of sites sampled, and support the participation of citizen scientists.
- $2 million to improve Koala health outcomes - grants for applied research activities and practical application to address health challenges such as retrovirus, herpesviruses, and chlamydia.
- $1 million for Koala care, treatment and triage - expanding and continuing national training for veterinarians and nurses to care for and treat koalas.
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Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
