A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will deliver $1.2 million to expand the Chuwar Koala and Native Fauna Conservation Park in Ipswich.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann welcomed the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, back to Goodness Enterprises in Ipswich on Monday to announce funding for this exciting local project.
The funding will allow Goodness Enterprises to expand existing activities across their conservation park.
Goodness Enterprises will establish a Rescued Koala Rehabilitation Centre, partnering with local koala carers, university researchers and experts to rehabilitate injured koalas for release into the wild.
This project would build on the Government’s other investments to better protect our environment, including over $550 million to better protect threatened plants and animals and tackle invasive pests, including over $76 million for koalas.
Koalas are classed as endangered under national environment law in NSW, Queensland and the ACT which makes these local projects so important.
Consistent with past practice, election commitments made during the 2025 Federal Election campaign will be delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:
“No-one wants to imagine an Australia without koalas. I want to make sure that our kids and grandkids will still be able to see koalas in the wild.
“That’s why the Albanese Government has invested more than $76 million in 59 projects to better protect koalas. So far, we’ve planted 250,000 trees, restored 5,000 hectares of koala habitat and invested $19 million for wildlife hospital service upgrades and vaccine research.
“And it’s why I’m so pleased to be back at Goodness Enterprises today to announce if Labor is re-elected, we will invest $1.2 million to expand the Chuwar Koala and Native Fauna Conservation Park.
“This is in addition to the $250 million announced in last month’s budget to protect an extra area of Aussie bush the size of New Zealand.
“Labor knows that communities across Australia play a crucial role in protecting and conserving nature. This funding will help build on the success of Goodness Enterprise’s existing conservation park that has become a hive of volunteering, bringing together locals from all over.
“This commitment builds on the Government’s other investments to better protect our environment, including over $550 million to better protect threatened plants and animals and tackle invasive pests. We’ve also invested $200 million in over 100 projects to clean up rivers and waterways in urban areas, including in Ipswich.
“The choice at the election couldn’t be clearer. Labor who will protect nature, fund essential science, invest in threatened species, and act on climate change. Or the climate deniers and wreckers of the Liberal and National parties, who haven’t made a single commitment that would help improve nature.”
Quotes attributable to the Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann:
“The Albanese Labor Government is ensuring that our kids and grandkids will still be able to see koalas in the wild.
“Communities like ours in Ipswich play a crucial role in protecting and conserving this beloved animal.
“I’m so pleased that a re-elected Labor Government will provide $1.2 million to Goodness Enterprises so they can expand their activities at the Chuwar Koala and Native Fauna Conservation Park.
“This will allow them to establish a Rescued Koala Rehabilitation Centre, partnering with local koala carers, researchers and experts, to develop and manage areas within the property where injured koalas will be rehabilitated for release into the wild.
“Goodness Enterprises is a terrific local charity that does so much to help the community and environment, and I’m very proud that we’re able to support their koala conservation project.
“Only Labor is protecting our koalas and ensuring they not only survive but thrive in the long term.”
