New turtle rehabilitation centre to open in Hervey Bay

After years of travelling to the Sunshine Coast, a new turtle rehabilitation centre is set to open to help the sick reptiles of the Fraser Coast.

More than 1400 turtles have been rescued on the Fraser Coast over the past two years, with more than 300 needing specialist care at the nearest rehabilitation facility on the Sunshine Coast.

Instead of travelling for hours with sick turtles, the reptiles will soon be able to be treated in Hervey Bay after work began recently on the Fraser Coast Turtle Rehabilitation and Research Centre.

The centre, which will be dedicated to the recovery of sick and injured marine turtles, will also provide vital research on the threats they face.

Located on the Hervey Bay foreshore, the centre will be led by the University of the Sunshine Coast and will provide care for many at-risk marine turtles, removing the need to transport them several hours to receive life saving treatment.

More than 1400 turtles have been rescued on the Fraser Coast over the past two years, with more than 300 needing specialist care at the nearest rehabilitation facility on the Sunshine Coast.

The project will retrofit existing buildings with a new fit-for-purpose centre including a specialist turtle life support system and indoor tanks to care for sick and injured sea turtles.

It will also be a hub for researchers investigating the general health of marine life across the wider region, and the emerging threats they face, including a deadly “soft shell syndrome”, which is plaguing the local turtle population.

University of the Sunshine Coast Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett said the centre was vital for the wellbeing of the region’s sea turtles.

Work has started on the Fraser Coast Turtle Rehabilitation and Research Centre dedicated to the recovery of sick and injured marine turtles and vital research on the threats they face.

“We are pleased to formally announce the name for the new centre, which will give our threatened turtles the greatest opportunity for survival, is the ‘UniSC Milbi Centre – Sea Turtle Research and Rehabilitation’”, she said.

“Milbi is the Butchulla word for sea turtle and the Dayman Park site where the centre is located holds great cultural significance for the Butchulla people and their deep connection with the Milbi and other sea and land creatures.

“This is reflected in the design and operation of the centre, where Butchulla Land and Sea Rangers will help to care for rescued sea turtles on country, and science and Indigenous knowledge will combine to fill gaps in our local and global understanding of marine turtles.

“Six of the world’s seven species of marine turtles are found in the region – all listed as vulnerable or endangered – and are ecologically and genetically linked to other parts of Australia and the wider Pacific region.

“To rescue and care for marine turtles is vitally important, as is research to better understand the cause of strandings and deaths, and to increase their chances of survival once they are rehabilitated and returned safely to the sea.

“This centre will be a hub for vital research that will help to inform local, state, national and international responses to mitigate threats to marine turtles, including disease and climate change.

Work has started on the Fraser Coast Turtle Rehabilitation and Research Centre dedicated to the recovery of sick and injured marine turtles and vital research on the threats they face.

“Ongoing funding support from governments, organisations and the community is vital for our endangered sea turtles.”

The federal government is providing $250,000 funding for the works, while the Queensland government has allocated $1.17 million.

Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Anthony Chisholm said the $250,000 investment would help safeguard the Fraser Coast’s turtle populations for future generations.

“This facility will also boost the local economy with an estimated 15 jobs set to be created, along with students, researchers and tourists all set to walk through its doors, which benefits the entire region,” he said.

Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie said the centre was “critical infrastructure” and the government was proud to partner with the University of Sunshine Coast.

Led by the University of the Sunshine Coast, the centre on the Hervey Bay foreshore will transform care for many at-risk marine turtles, removing the need to transport them several hours to receive life saving treatment.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said the new centre would be an asset for the community.

“This facility will benefit the region’s wildlife, university students and the broader community, including Butchulla traditional owners,” he said.

“This is an excellent partnership between all three levels of government, community groups and the University of the Sunshine Coast.

“The turtles are an endangered species, so it is important that we research what has been happening to the local population that has caused the large number of fatalities and casualties.”

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Originally published as New turtle rehabilitation centre to open in Hervey Bay