Paterson Liberal Candidate Advocates for Port Stephens Koala Funding

 BY OLIVIA DILLON

Federal Liberal Candidate for Paterson, Brooke Vitnell, has announced this week she will advocate for Port Stephens to receive its fair share of the government's latest investment into the country's koala population. 

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley announced on Saturday, a $50 million package focused on improving health and habitat outcomes for koalas. 

The money brings the Morrison Government's commitment to koala conservation to almost $75 million since 2019. 

A volunteer and member of Port Stephens Koalas herself, Ms Vitnell said funds directed to the Hunter region would be dedicated to community-led initiatives and large-scale activities.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to secure much-needed funds to support Port Stephens-based projects that help preserve our beautiful koalas."

"We have terrific organisations in Port Stephens like the Port Stephens Koala Hospital that would certainly benefit from these funds."

Ms Vitnell also noted impact of recent bushfires on koalas in the Hunter region, and said specialist bushfire trauma training for local vets could prove vital in increasing survival prospects for the animals.

"My view is that we can't do enough to ensure the long-term recovery and health of our beloved koalas in Port Stephens, and I will certainly be advocating for Port Stephens and the Hunter to receive our share." 

Image: portstephenskoalas.com.au

Port Stephens Koalas Win Popular Vote

By MEGHAN RICHARDSON

Port Stephen's Koalas have won the popular vote in the New South Wales Government's My Community Grant program.

The conservation group will receive a $200 000 grant which will lead to the development of a koala hospital.

They received the highest number of votes in the Port Stephens area and were voted second-highest in the state.

This has been the first time communities have had the opportunity to vote on the local programs they care about.

Port Stephen's Koalas is dedicated to koala preservation and the threat to koalas from habitat loss and declining population rates. 

The development of Port Stephen's koala hospital is now on track for completion in May 2020. The facility will rescue and rehabilitate the cuddly cultural icons.

 Currently, there is only one Koala hospital in the mid-north coast of New South Wales dedicated to the care of wild koalas.

Port Stephen's MP, Kate Washington offered her congratulations to all of the community groups involved and thanked the locals for participating and voting.

"The community has been able to vote on its most popular project and its delightful to see Port Stephens Koalas winning that vote so it can now fit out its all important koala hospital that is designed to try and save Port Stephen's koalas from extinction," said Kate Washington.

"It will be an enormous asset for our area and our entire region," she continued.  Because its not just going to be looking after sick and injured koalas, its also gonna be an impressive tourism attraction. So its win win all around for Port Stephens."

The new facility will open in Tomaree as part of the overarching Koala Sanctuary Project.

For my information about the community program check them out here.

Image Source: Port Stephens Council 

Port Stephens To Receive $3 Million Dollars For Koala Hospital

BY OLIVIA PORTELL

Animal rescue organisation, Port Stephens Koalas, will receive $3 million dollars to go towards a new koala hospital.

It is hoped the hospital will take the burden off local volunteers, who, up until now, have been operating out of their own homes.

Port Stephens Koalas Care and Rescue Coordinator Simone Aurino says having adequate facilities will mean more progress can be made.

"We need to contribute to conservation in many ways and without a central facility, it makes it very difficult for us to do this," she says.

However, Ms Aurino says getting the government on board has not been an easy process for volunteers.

"This has been an absolute mammoth task- it's not something that has happened overnight, we've had a team working on this project dedicated solely to this for several years," she says.

"They've had to really petition the government, supply all the supporting data that really shows why this should move ahead, and it's brilliant that it's finally being recognised."

$20 million dollars has also been allocated to purchase land for preservation.

It comes after six hectares of the Mambo Wetlands was sold last year, which is prime koala habitat.

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington says the funding is long over due.

"We've been critical of the government in its delay on even releasing its koala strategy," she says.

"Whilst that's been delayed, we've seen our koala numbers plummet."

Ms Washington says she hopes the government will consider buying back the section of the Mambo Wetlands which was sold for $250 thousand dollars last year.

"We are renewing our calls heartily for the government to spend some of that allocation of funds to returning the Mambo Wetlands to public hands."