Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation ‘desperate’ for partnership with Coast developers to fund its $1.8 operating costs, Meaghan Scanlon weighs in
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon has weighed in on calls to tax tree-clearing developers to help fund struggling Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. SEE WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY
Gold Coast
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A PLAN to have developers pay tax to save Currumbin Wildlife Hospital is “interesting”, according to Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon.
A report in Saturday’s Bulletin revealed the hospital is struggling to keep the lights on and using second-hand or broken equipment as record numbers of injured animals are brought in.
CWH’s directors believe developers pocketing millions of dollars by clearing vegetation to make way for mega towers and new shopping centres should be slugged a tax to help out.
The Gaven MP weighed in on the idea during a Saturday press conference at David Fleay Wildlife Park.
“It’s an interesting proposal and I’m more than happy to consider it,” she said, adding she was aware the hospital had called on council to take action.
“We are investing significantly across our wildlife hospital networks. Since 2017 we’ve committed over $7 million to that network.
“The Premier also announced $200,000 in bushfire recovery, an acknowledgement that unfortunately when we see these fires we do see a greater number of wildlife injured.
“So naturally we need to have those measures in place to be able to assist.
“Of course we’d welcome greater investment from other levels of government if they want to chip in further but we’ll continue to work with the hospital.
“I was just there last week and they do an incredible job, and so do the many volunteers.”
Ms Scanlon was at the wildlife park to inspect a $40,000 immersive learning experience, unveiled as part of a push to promote ecotourism across the state.
EARLIER:
THE iconic Currumbin Wildlife Hospital is on the brink of extinction, using second-hand or broken equipment and struggling to turn on the lights as record numbers of injured animals come through its doors.
To help save it, Australia’s busiest native wildlife hospital believes developers pocketing millions of dollars by clearing vegetation to make way for new shopping centres and mega towers should be slugged a tax — because at the moment it says it doesn’t receive a cent from them.
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The hospital, covered financially for only the next three months, had 14,000 wildlife admissions last year. This is up from 12,200 the year before and well ahead of Australia Zoo’s estimated 8000.
“It would make absolute sense for the Gold Coast City Council to require developers to pay a levy or fee as part of the development application process,” hospital foundation director Whitney Luzzo-Kelly said.
“Perhaps developers could also erect signage educating the public on what wildlife is on the property and what they can do to take care of it.
“We know the hoops that developers have to go through, and know at times they feel angry at us, but we’re screaming out for an agreement between government, the council and developers to help secure the financial security of the hospital and perhaps land because we simply can’t afford any at today’s prices.”
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Mrs Luzzo-Kelly said operating costs were currently $1.8 million “just to turn the lights on and keep staff employed” and that staff were using second-hand or broken equipment.
She said the Gold Coast City Council had committed to $37,000 per year for 2021-25 using funds from Divisions 3, 5, 8, 12, 13 and 14. It also contributed $150,000 over five years to a research project, but not operating costs.
The state government contributes $250,000 per year, which is currently in a one-year extension, with a renewal submission being considered for 2021-25 budgets. The federal government committed $250,000 over four years. That deal is in its third year.
“However, this only covers 30 per cent of our hospital and foundation operating costs, the rest of the $1.26 million we have to source through community donations, of which we appreciate every dollar and couldn’t do what we do without the support we receive,” Mrs Luzzo-Kelly said.
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A spokeswoman for council said: “The City supports Currumbin Wildlife Hospital through a multiple year funding agreement in the amount of $50,000 per annum to assist with the development of a koala chlamydia vaccine. This agreement will expire on 30 June, 2023. The City also has a multiple-year funding agreement in the amount of $37,000 per annum for operational costs. This agreement will expire on 30 June 2024.
“Currumbin Wildlife Hospital was also divisionally supported.”
Asked if the council would consider enforcing a developer levy to go to the hospital, the spokeswoman said: “Under the Planning Act development infrastructure charges can only be used for trunk infrastructure and not distributed to third parties.”
Mrs Luzzo-Kelly said the foundation had been hit hard during COVID, with many financiers having to stop contributions.
“This is why we’d like to think the sectors that are flourishing, the building and development industry, may consider it their social responsibility to help the hospital financially.”
Currumbin Wildlife Hospital senior vet Dr Michael Pyne said in his 20-year tenure, admissions had increased every single year.
“Our biggest challenge is that we’re always playing catch up with funding and chasing our tail.
“I’d love to be able to say I feel comfortable about the long-term financial future of our hospital, but the fact is we’re only covered for the next three months.”
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HUMANS TO BLAME FOR 90 PER CENT WILDLIFE INJURIES
HUMANS are to blame for 90 per cent of the admissions of native wildlife to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Hospital, according to senior vet Dr Michael Pyne.
“Whether it’s displacement because of vegetation clearing, a koala being hit by a car because it’s searching for a new home or a bird flying entangled in fishing line,” he said. “We’ve really got to be sure the right balance is being struck in regards to the way the removal of vegetation is approved and managed. In a perfect world you wouldn’t chop down one tree, but more and more people do have to live somewhere.”
Dr Pyne’s comments come as residents in Nerang this week accused a developer of cutting down hundreds of trees despite plans to use only a fraction of the land, and locals in Burleigh Heads blew up after a historic Norfolk Island pine was damaged.
“Once habitat is taken down and something built in its place, the homes of those animals are gone forever and of course this has an impact on the wildlife,” Dr Pyne said.
“Crucially, they can’t just move into surrounding habitats because there are already animals that live there, so there’s a cascading effect.”
Dr Pyne said he had “no doubt” he was seeing more animals as a result of increased development on the Gold Coast, and while it was easy to blame council and developers for “knocking down habitats”, there was a way locals could help.
“People often overlook what they can do in their own backyards. Displaced animals and birds need somewhere to live and by planting native bushes and trees, locals can help wildlife flourish.”
February is Currumbin Wildlife Hospital awareness month, with the organisation working to educate the community and raise much-needed funds.
On February 27 locals can get a behind-the-scenes tour of the hospital and learn about the medical care each animal receives. Bookings are essential. Money raised is used to treat, rehabilitate and release wildlife. Details are at currumbinwildlifehospital.org.au
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