News
22 October, 2025
$39m for new wildife hospitals
MORETON Bay’s native wildlife is set to receive a major lifeline, as the State Government announced a $39.6 million investment into Queensland’s wildlife hospital network.
The funding will help establish three new hospitals, including one in Moreton Bay, alongside new and redeveloped facilities at Redlands, Southport, Currumbin, and Green Island off Cairns.
This comes as wildlife carers and the RSPCA told The Sentinel they are all operating at capacity, having seen a surge of sick and injured animals this year, ahead of the traditional peak season.
The new funding aims to address this, by increasing Queensland’s capacity to care for sick, injured and orphaned animals, providing more space, resources, and rehabilitation opportunities for wildlife carers and veterinarians across the state.
RSPCA Queensland alone reports they care for and treat over 27,000 sick, injured or orphaned wildlife each year – highlighting the need for more resources.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism, and State Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell, told The Sentinel the new Moreton Bay state-of-the-art hospital was expected to be delivered within approximately three years.
“To deliver this, we are regularly engaging with the Moreton Bay Wildlife Foundation and Moreton Bay Council,” he said.
“The agreement between the government and the Foundation is currently being finalised.”
The funding will also see the new Sea World Marine Wildlife Hospital at Southport and revamped Green Island Turtle Rehabilitation centre establish public education hubs.
An investment of $12 million will also help RSPCA establish a new wildlife hospital at Redlands to treat injured wildlife as well as endangered and threatened species.
“Our passionate carers, veterinarians and wildlife hospitals are life savers, and I want to thank them for their tireless work,” Mr Powell said.
“Whether a sick koala, injured bird or dolphin struck by a boat propeller, these state-of-the-art wildlife hospitals will enable better care for thousands of sick and injured animals throughout Queensland.
“Opening these facilities to the public will showcase our veterinarians at work and hopefully inspire the current and next generation to become passionate about wildlife conservation.
“While we are delivering a funding boost to wildlife hospitals, there is much more to be done to deliver for Queensland’s future.”
