Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan today helped to officially open the Friends of the Koala’s new $170,000 Burribi Education and Administration Centre.
“This is a terrific project that will increase the number of tourists visiting Lismore and allow the Friends of the Koala to deliver more educational information about koalas to more groups,” he said.
“It will also extend the range of skills Friends of the Koala currently offers to Centrelink clients and potential volunteers.”
“The project included construction of a colorbond building with a garage, disabled toilet and shower, office and kitchenette and bitumen sealing adjacent to Rifle Range Road.”
Mr Hogan said the centre’s current building will be turned into a dedicated koala hospital to help koalas which need long-term care.
“This dedicated centre will allow future research to help protect and preserve koala populations and cater for thousands of visitors who attend educational tours at the centre each year,” he said.
Friends of the Koala president Ros Irwin said the future conversion of the current Care Centre into a dedicated space would help with the triage and treatment of koalas taken into care.
“It will provide much better outcomes for the koalas and an improved education facility which will enhance the community education experience for the many visitors and tourists that come to the Centre to learn about our iconic species,” she said.
Care Coordinator Susannah Keogh added: “It couldn’t have come at a better time as last year we rescued 30% more koalas than previous years and already it looks as though this year will be even busier.”
The Federal Coalition Government provided $78,028 to the project under its National Regions Stronger Fund and Friends of the Koalas provided $91,121.
