The State Budget 2019-20 will allocate more than $90 million to protect wildlife and the environment, with part of the funds going to the Moggill Koala Rehabilitation Centre upgrade project.
The State Government has set aside $3.6 million to save koala population in Queensland. The State Government is earmarking $2.1-million to acquire a protected corridor in Noosa, whilst $1.5 million will go to Moggill Koala Rehabilitation Centre and Daisy Hill Koala Centre.
Koala rehabilitation and conservation
Part of this year’s $1.5 million continued koala conservation budget will be used for the Moggill Koala Rehabilitation Centre infrastructure improvements project and to support the facility’s ongoing work. Also included in the Budget is the funding to RSPCA for the oversight of the 1300 WILDLIFE Hotline service.
Formerly known as the Moggill Koala Hospital, the Moggill Koala Rehabilitation Centre opened in 1991 to answer the need for a centre where injured or sick koalas can be admitted for treatment and/or rehabilitation.
Koalas are microchipped for identification and, once treated and rehabilitated, are returned to their natural habitat. All admissions are recorded and entered into the database to help in the identification of koala habitat and monitoring of their population.
National parks revitalisation
Apart from the koala conservation, Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science Leeanne Enoch announced other environmental initiatives that will be funded in this year’s Budget including national parks revitalisation, crocodile management, koala conservation, fire management and the eradication of yellow crazy ants.
A total of $10 million will go towards the ongoing recovery of national parks affected by weather events and the ongoing improvements and upgrades to other iconic national parks. Included are parks in the Whitsundays and Mackay; parks in the Daintree, Gondwana World Heritage Area; Noosa National Park; and the Great Sandy National Park.
Photo Credit: The State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Science) 2012–2019 / findapark.npsr.qld.gov.au
Other Budget highlights for the environment
Minister Enoch also said that this year’s Budget includes funding for the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service’s (QPWS) Enhanced Fire Management program ($16 million) and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area’s yellow crazy ant local eradication program ($9 million over three years), and improved crocodile management ($6 million over two years).
Also, $1 million will be provided over two years waste management data strategy development, as well as $75.4 million to be allocated this financial year — out of the $330 million, five-year allocation — for the continuing work to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
“Improving waste data management is a crucial part of implementing waste management reforms in Queensland.
“This year’s budget will also see expenditure for key programs funded from the waste levy, including programs to support small businesses and the construction industry to improve their waste practices, and further investment in grants for environmental projects,” Ms Enoch said.