Nelson Bay Wins with $3M Government Grant to Fund Koala Hospital at One Mile Beach FEATURED Nelson Bay (Tomaree Peninsula areas) Port Stephens News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - May 15, 2018 Mayor Ryan Palmer, assuring the community that Council is not selling a block of land adjacent to Mambo Wanda Wetlands but possibly one in an existing residential area. Photo by Marian Sampson. BAY locals are set to celebrate after an announcement by Duty MLC for Port Stephens Catherine Cusack that the Bay is to get $3million for a Koala Hospital. Modern Media: Advertise with News Of The Area and you get your ad in 1) in Print, 2) on the News Website (like this ad), and 3) on our Social Media news site. A much more efficient way to advertise. Reach a HUGE audience for a LOW price TODAY! Call us on 02 4983 2134. Or media@newsofthearea.com.au Or CLICK FOR ADVERT QUOTE The hospital will provide world class care for sick and injured koalas from the region. In the past many of Port Stephens koalas were transported to Port Macquarie for treatment which they will now get locally. The hospital has the support of Port Stephens Council, and the Port Stephens Koala Hospital will be sited at the Council managed Treescape facility at One Mile Beach. Catherine Cusack Duty MLC for Port Stephens said, “Port Stephens Koala Hospital will have a special statewide role in terms of research and education, it is recognition of the significance of the local coastal koala population and the skills and advocacy of the Port Stephens Community.” The new Port Stephens Koala hospital will have an operating and treatment room, and four intensive care rooms along with outdoor rehabilitation pens. The facility will also participate in a breeding program which will form a base for scientific research into disease control as part of the new hospital. The project is funded by the NSW Governments Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund. The hospital will also be an educational and tourism attraction with tourism funding the services and it is forecast that the koala hospital will inject over $1 million to the local economy each year. While locals are celebrating the hospital there has been concern around the proposed sale of land by Council near the Mambo Wanda Wetlands core koala habitat site. Mayor Ryan Palmer told News Of The Area, “The block of land in question is not adjacent to Mambo Wanda Wetlands and is zones R2, if approved its sale will go towards funding the master plan for the Sports Complex at Salamander Bay. “Council is also working on some new roadway signage to alert drivers when they are entering zones where koalas are active in a view to prevent vehicle strikes,” he said. For more information about the NSW Koala Strategy visit: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/koalas. By Marian SAMPSON Port Stephens Koalas volunteers happy to be moving forward with the Koala Hospital.
