Local communities will have the opportunity to play a hands-on role in koala protection and recovery under new Koala Conservation and Protection Community Grants.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley today released guidelines for the first round of grants supporting on-ground community projects and local activities that aid the protection and recovery of nationally listed Koala populations across Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
"This will be the first of two $5 million grant rounds to help give communities the tools they need to make a difference for local populations," Minister Ley said.
"Individual grants of up to $200,000 will be made available to improve Koala habitat, health and our knowledge of populations.
"The funding is part of the $50 million Koala package announced in 2022, which has taken the Morrison Government's overall spending on koalas to more than $74 million.
"I encourage people to look at the guidelines and prepare their ideas ahead of the grant round opening later this year."
Grant guidelines are available on the Australian Government's Business Grants Hub website, with the first round anticipated to open in May 2022.
The guidelines highlight 3 key goals:
- improve the extent, quality and connectivity of Koala habitat and reduce local threats
- increase understanding and management of disease and injury affecting Koala health and lift capability in on-ground care, treatment and triage of koalas, and
- improve data and knowledge of Koala populations and health across their range, to support effective decision making and conservation action.
Grant guidelines: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/koala-conservation-and-prot…
