$24.6m commitment to protect koalas ‘step in the right direction’

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has taken to Twitter to announce major funding towards protecting koalas.

The Palaszczuk government today announced it will spend nearly $40 million on saving endangered species including $24.6m protecting the endangered koala population, as part of the upcoming 2022-23 budget.

Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk boasted the news on social media early Sunday morning, before Treasurer Cameron Dick made an official announcement at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast.

It comes after Australia upgraded the status of koala‘s from vulnerable to endangered in February due to habitat loss.

Mr Dick said of the nearly $40m allocation, $24.6m would go towards the South East Queensland koala strategy, $14.7m towards the threatened species program and a further $2m for Australia Zoo, Currumbin Wildlife and RSPCA Queensland hospitals.

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick said the 2022-23 budget to be released in just over two weeks would include almost $40 for endangered species including koalas. Picture: Facebook

“Our koala strategy for South East Queensland is the most comprehensive and detailed of its type,” Mr Dick said.

“The result of that will be an increase in the protection predicted areas and an increase in the level of protection for koalas. It will also protect and restore key koala habitats while working to increase koala populations.”

Mr Dick said funds will also focus on establishing a viable vaccine for chlamydia in koalas.

“If we can crack that problem, if we can solve that problem, that could have a very significant benefit in restoring protecting and increasing the koala population in Queensland,” he said.

Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Chief Veterinarian Dr Michael Pyne said the funding would make a significant difference but there would always be a need for more.

BREAKING: We are committing $24.6 million to protect koalas across South East Queensland.

This funding will underpin critical actions needed to help stop the decline of our koala population and help protect and restore key koala habitats. pic.twitter.com/UWH4nw8zZH

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) June 4, 2022

“We‘re treating over 14,000 native wildlife cases a year that we’re treating and releasing back out into the wild, so this funding makes such a difference to us to be able to provide that service and look after our native wildlife,” Dr Pyne said.

“There‘s always more funding that you need. You know, there’s always a lot that needs to be done. But certainly, you know, this is a great step in the right direction that allows us to do so much more.”