Lismore’s koalas get $200,000 lifeline

THE future of Lismore's koala population has been bolstered with the NSW government awarding grants to protect the mammals.

Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell, NSW Environment minister Mark Speakman, Friends of the Koala president Lorraine Vass and Lismore MP Thomas George at the announcement of $200,000 in government grants to help protect Lismore's koala population. Photo: contributed. Picture: contributed

THE future of Lismore's koala population has been bolstered with $200,000 in government grants being awarded to Friends of the Koala and Lismore City Council.

Thomas George MP was joined by Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell, Friends of the Koala president Lorraine Vass and NSW Environment minister Mark Speakman to announce the grants.

Mr George said Friends of the Koala and council will each receive $100,000 to help protect koalas in the Lismore LGA.

"These grants will help support local koala populations and improve koala habitats," Mr George said.

"The funding will help create refuges and re-establish corridors to allow them to move about more freely and safely."

This Environmental Trust grants program is designed to protect and restore the environment, including important ecosystems and habitats of rare and endangered species.

Environment Minister Mark Speakman said communities had invaluable knowledge and passion for their local bushland, wildlife, heritage and ecological sustainability.

"It's important that government support local initiative and these grants do precisely that, making a difference," Mr Speakman said.

Mr Speakman said the Government was also investing a record $100 million in its Saving our Species program to safeguard koalas and all other threatened species in NSW.

Mr George also announced five other local grants:

• $100,000 for Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare Group to rehabilitate critically endangered lowland subtropical rainforest;
• $100,000 for ENviTE to restore Fleay's Barred frog habitat in Nightcap National Park;
• $100,000 for Tweed Shire Council to improve Rous river water quality;　　
• $100,000 for Nimbin Rocks Cooperative Landcare Group to restore lowland rainforest and six other sites in Nimbin; and
• $99,800 for Northern Rivers Fire and Biodiversity Consortium to restore the Toonumbar valley.

To see the full list of grant recipients and project descriptions visit: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/restoration.htm