The leading koala conservation and rehabilitation organisation in the Northern Rivers says despite the funding of the Koala Strategy, the NSW State Budget doesn’t go far enough to protect the iconic species from extinction. 

Friends of the Koala had called for an annual investment of $500,000 to fund its Northern Rivers Koala Hospital to cover equipment costs, veterinary staff and the implementation of critical Chlamydia vaccination projects, and $200,000 to fund the operation of their koala rescue and rehabilitation teams including increasing their capacity to respond during natural disasters.

It had also asked for a $750,000 capital investment that would allow it to upgrade and extend its hospital and rehabilitation facilities, where the organisation treats and rehabilitates more than 350 koalas each year. The number of koalas entering care has increased by 20% in the past financial year. 

General Manager at Friends of the Koala, Silva Everaers, said the Northern Rivers Koala Hospital tended to more sick, orphaned and injured koalas than any other koala hospital on the East Coast of Australia and funds were vital to continuing its work. 

“Research continues to show that koala populations in the Northern Rivers are of state significance, and we are deeply concerned that delays in funding will jeopardise our ability to continue our vital work effectively. 

“The Environment Minister acknowledged that the NSW Koala Strategy needs a review, and we appreciated the opportunity to attend the NSW Koala Summit and respond to the NSW Koala Strategy Discussion Paper to inform this review. But despite this public commitment to protecting koalas, this Budget fails to put these words into action with adequate funding,” she said. 

“The necessity to fund the vital work done by koala hospitals and rehabilitators cannot wait. The survival of our organisation, and koalas, depends on it. We need the resources to continue the work we do to save koalas every single day – and we need them now. 

“Given our significant contribution to koala rescue and rehabilitation efforts and meetings with the Minister, we had hoped for more immediate action. Our koalas can’t wait another 12 months for funding to help ensure their survival.” 

Ms Everaers said it was time for the government to bolster the collective efforts of the community by funding critical koala conservation efforts.

“We couldn’t do what we do without the tireless efforts of our volunteers, but the reality is that we can’t expect generous individuals and businesses to fix this problem alone. It is so inspiring to see our volunteers and veterinary team’s incredible commitment 24/7 to save koalas, but heartbreaking not to be able to provide them with the equipment and support they so desperately need.” 

As a not-for-profit organisation, Friends of the Koala is supported by 300 volunteers who contribute approximately 75,500 hours of unpaid volunteer work each year. This represents over $3.5 million saved on the cost of services, allowing the organisation to keep its running costs low and put all revenue towards the support, care, and conservation of koalas.

President of Friends of the Koala, Aliison Kelly, said Friends of the Koala had worked for almost four decades to conserve koala habitat and protect koalas individually and as a species, rescuing more than 6000 koalas and releasing more than 2000 back into the wild to date.

“We founded and run the Northern Rivers Koala Network which is a collection of 23 different organisations including local councils, DCCEEW and other not-for-profits to liaise, inform and work together to save koalas across the Northern Rivers region,” Ms Kelly said. 

“This year we joined forces with Port Stephens Koala Hospital and Koala Conservation Australia Ltd to form the NSW Koala Hospital Alliance to support each other’s work and advocate for change across the sector.  

“We are frustrated that our efforts and those of the whole sector are not acknowledged in this budget. The wildlife sector across the state gives the government and the people of NSW an army of passionate people working on Country who want to save and protect our wildlife for future generations. It’s time this is recognised, applauded and funded properly.”