There was a happy mood at the Friends of the Koala Hospital in East Lismore yesterday when Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin delivered on an election promise to fund 300 chlamydia vaccinations through a $110,000 grant.

The grant will also be used by the group to develop a koala database.

(Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin addressing the media yesterday with General Manager Silva Everaers (left), Minister for Climate Change and Environment Penny Sharpe and President of the Friends of the Koala Aliison Kelly)

General Manager Silva Everaers said chlamydia is the number one cause of death for koalas in our region.

"So to be able to administer a vaccine is absolutely life-changing and we're really proud to be the only wildlife hospital that has this license to vaccinate all koalas that we release, which is about 100 koalas every year."

"It's actually a really horrible disease for koalas. They can turn blind and they get a lot of urinary tract issues. Basically, it causes them a lot of pain and death in the end, especially our female koalas are really heavily impacted and when we find it too late, it's really hard to save them."

"This is where our community plays a really important role as well, because they're actually the ones that notify us when they see a sick Koala and allow us to rescue them and patch them back up in our hospital."

Silva explained that the chlamydia vaccine itself costs $250 and the cost to treat one koala is around $5,000 on average.

"When we look at our Joey's that are hand-reared, and they can stay in our care for about 10 months, those costs can go up to $10,000 for just one Joey."

"So, this is an absolutely amazing start. This covers the actual vaccinations, and we're really looking for support to cover the rest of all our costs, which is rescue, habitat restoration, but particularly also our veterinary staff and medicine."

Friends of the Koala is in its 38th Year. President Aliison Kelly said the organisation released its 2000th koala last year.

"Every year we bring in about 350 koalas through the centre and through our koala hospital which is based in Lismore, but we service the whole of the Northern Rivers region."

The NSW Government has also announced $1.4 million to build the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital in Wollongbar, grants totalling $460,000 have been awarded to Lismore City, Tweed Shire, Ballina Shire, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley councils for signage to alert drivers to slow down and watch for koalas in vehicle strike hotspots.

Koala habitat restoration is also underway in the Northern Rivers region, with $810,000 invested to restore 660 hectares across private land and national park estate.

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe said, “Janelle Saffin has fought tirelessly for this funding, and I am pleased that the NSW Government can deliver it.

“It is important that koalas have a bright future in NSW, which they do under this government thanks in part to the strong advocacy of Janelle Saffin.

“The NSW Government is taking steps to prevent koalas needing to be in veterinary care, and this funding helps to ensure that native wildlife have the best possible outcome when treated, and returned to the wild.”

Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin said, “The Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital is wonderful. We have already turned the first sod but this $1.4 million in funding ensures its place within our network of native wildlife care.

“Our local communities love our iconic koalas and the $110,000 in funding will help protect them against chlamydia, and importantly, keep track of them.

“FOK (Friends of the Koala) in East Lismore is a fantastic organisation, professional, with compassionate and competent volunteers.

“I am proud to have advocated for and secured funding for these projects and very pleased to join Minister Sharpe to announce them here in the electorate.”