The LNP will deliver a state-of-the-art Wildlife Centre of Excellence in the Redlands providing critical care for Queensland’s native animals, if elected next month.
An LNP Government would establish a world-class veterinary hospital at Redlands IndigiScapes Centre Precinct in Capalaba enabling the RSPCA to relocate their existing small wildlife hospital from Wacol, freeing up much needed space and helping more injured native animals.
The $12 million announcement is part of the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s Future, and follows a commitment to fund Australia’s first Marine Wildlife Hospital at the Sea World Foundation on the Gold Coast, as well as the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital.
LNP Shadow Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Sam O’Connor said the Redlands Wildlife Centre of Excellence would be a gamechanger for urgent native wildlife care.
“The LNP will deliver a wildlife hospital for to provide world-class care for native animals, with a significantly larger facility; ensuring injured wildlife from the area can be treated more quickly,” Mr O’Connor said.
“The new facility will significantly reduce travel times and increase wildlife survival rates, while taking a load off hardworking local carers and existing facilities.
“Our commitment will open the door to locally based treatment for Queensland’s rare and endangered species including koalas, wallabies and kangaroos.”
LNP Candidate for Redlands Rebecca Young said moving the RSPCA small wildlife hospital from Wacol to Capalaba would save many native animals in the area.
“With no wildlife hospital currently near our community, wildlife carers and good Samaritans who find injured or sick wildlife need to rely on veterinary support which is at least an hour away, and already overstretched,” Ms Young said.
RSPCA Chief Executive Officer, Darren Maier said, “The current RSPCA Queensland Wildlife Hospital at Wacol was built to cater for 8,000 wildlife patients and in its first year of operation in 2012 cared for 8,359 patients – and this demand has now increased by 300 per cent with nearly 24,000 native animals per year being admitted”.
“The LNP’s commitment to fund a Wildlife Centre of Excellence in the Redlands will secure crucial veterinary care for south-east Queensland wildlife and increase capacity for rehabilitation and the successful release of them to their native environment.”
Rebecca Young said, “Under Labor, Queensland has the lowest proportion of protected areas of anywhere in Australia, but the LNP is safeguarding our native Queensland wildlife for future generations.
“Queenslanders need a fresh start, and the Redlands Wildlife Centre of Excellence is part of restoring a government that protects our environment by investing in conservation, science and technology.”