Hatching Turtle Rehabilitation Centre For Far North

Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation The Honourable Andrew Powell
  • Crisafulli Government delivers on election commitment to establish the Green Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.
  • $600,000 shelled out for the Centre which will help turtles in Great Barrier Reef recover from serious injuries and illness.
  • Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan to better protect out natural assets, and a fresh start for Queensland.

The Crisafulli Government is delivering world-class care for sick and injured turtles with the establishment of a new turtle rehabilitation centre on Green Island.

After a decade of decline under Labor, the Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for Queensland by safeguarding the State's breathtaking natural wonders for generations to come.

Expanding on the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre's program, the Green Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre will enable ongoing rehabilitation work to treat sick and injured turtles in Far North Queensland.

This means they can recover from disease or serious injury caused by ingesting marine debris, entanglement in fishing nets or boat strikes at the facility.

Located on the Great Barrier Reef which is home to six of the world's seven species of marine turtles, the Green Island facility will be pivotal in helping more turtles.

$600,000 has been locked in to the 2025-26 Budget to deliver on the Crisafulli Government's election commitment to protect this vital marine life, building upon the crucial work being done by the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.

Minister of the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said this facility will enhance the world-leading marine research efforts already being undertaken to save turtles in Queensland.

"We are dedicated to protecting native wildlife and conserving threatened species in Queensland," Minister Powell said.

"Not only will this world-class facility save more sick and injured sea turtles, it ensures visitors to one of the world's seven natural wonders continue to enjoy these beautiful species of the Great Barrier Reef.

"We are delivering on our commitment to provide $600,000 to establish the Green Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre." 

Member for Barron River and Assistant Minister for Tourism Bree James said local volunteers did an amazing job caring for animals in Far North Queensland.

"Green Island is home to many endangered species of turtles," Ms James said.

"Seeing a turtle suffering is one of the worst things I've ever seen as a diver out in the reef.

"To have another site in Far North Queensland where turtles can be rehabilitated and released back into the wild is really important."

Member for Mulgrave Terry James said conserving these animals was also critical for local industry.

"Tourism is our number one industry in Cairns," Mr James said.

"I've seen a similar facility on Fitzroy Island and the team does a magnificent job rescuing turtles and returning them to the ocean."

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