Government re-commits to supporting Calga Wildlife Walkabout Sanctuary

NSW Premier Chris Minns joined Minister for the Central Coast David Harris, Member for The Entrance David Mehan and Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch at the Calga Wildlife Walkabout Sanctuary last Friday to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to provide a grant that would support the sanctuary’s work to rehabilitate rescued wildlife.

10 May 2023

 

WILDLIFE habitat in the Central Coast sanctuary would be better protected with the fulfilment of the NSW Government’s $50,000 election commitment. Support from the NSW Government would go towards additional fencing, work and equipment to better protect animals on the Sanctuary site and accelerate recovery of degraded areas.

 

The proposed program of work at the Sanctuary has been guided by the advice of ecologists, horticulturists, and the NSW Local Land Services (Greater Sydney) team.

 

NSW Premier Chris Minns said,  “During the election campaign I announced our intention to provide a $50,000 grant to the Wildlife Walkabout Sanctuary and I am here to reaffirm that commitment.

 

“Today I’m here to meet with the team to learn more about the Sanctuary and how support from the NSW Government could help them.

 

“The work that Calga Wildlife Walkabout Sanctuary does to provide safe, lifelong care for rescued wildlife is irreplaceable.

 

“This Sanctuary provides a safe home for those rescued animas that cannot be re-released and has breeding and rehabilitation programs for endangered species for future release.

 

“Those native animals that are so linked to our national identity – koalas, bilbies, Tasmanian devils, wallabies – they all have a home here, and the Sanctuary itself is a well-loved Central Coast landmark.

 

“I am proud to be able to re-affirm our commitment to supporting the Sanctuary and its rehabilitation work and am proud to be here today to see how a NSW Government grant could support such a great organisation and cause.”

 

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch MP said,  “Fantastic news for the Wildlife Walkabout Sanctuary. This is a great investment to make sure that the beautiful facility can expand its capacity and improve its habitat.

 

“Ultimately, we would love to see the koalas roaming free within the 80 acres of the park.

 

“This is just the start of creating a sanctuary that will continue to provide education, conservation and protection of our native animals right here on the Central Coast.”

 

The Calga Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 2005 in cooperation with private landowner Catherine Barnard. It protects 170 acres of private natural land in Calga and is a natural fenced environment where Australian animals move freely and visitors can walk amongst the flora and fauna.

 

"Wildlife Walkabout was responsible for rescuing a number of animals during the 2019 bushfires and the efforts had not been recognised until now," Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said.

 

"They play an important role in the conservation of native species."

 

The Sanctuary works cooperatively with registered regional species management programs, licensed wildlife rescuers and government agencies.