$1.2 million haven for threatened species

Joint media release from The Hon Sussan Ley, Minister for the Environment and Senator Jim Molan AO DSC, Senator for NSW
28 January 2020

A number of Australia’s most threatened species will receive greater protection from a new safe haven to be established under the Morrison Government’s $100 million Environment Restoration Fund.

$1.2 million from the Fund will help establish a new 400ha haven at the Wandiyali-Environa Wildlife Sanctuary near Canberra and includes construction of a predator-proof fence, the eradication of feral animals and ongoing maintenance to make Wandiyali a haven for native plants and animals.

These include the endangered Box Gum Woodland ecological community that already resides in the area and animals such as the Eastern Bettong and the Eastern Quoll who could be re-introduced to the area once it is predator free.

Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said that the Morrison Government is contributing $10 million from the Environment Restoration Fund towards Australia’s Threatened Species Strategy target of establishing 10 feral cat free mainland enclosures.

“Each sanctuary will play an important role in the Government’s efforts to increase the number of secure mainland populations of predator susceptible mammal species,” Minister Ley said.

“Sanctuaries are also vital for establishing insurance populations, so species can have long-term protection from threats such as feral cats and foxes and can be used to repopulate areas after they have been impacted by bushfires and other emergencies. We are working with conservation partners to identify other potential locations to expand the national network of safe havens with a focus on enabling the strategic long-term protection of threatened mammals at risk of extinction.”

Senator for NSW Jim Molan welcomed the funding for the Wandiyali-Environa Sanctuary, saying the project is an example of how government and communities can work together to protect our native wildlife.

“Across NSW and the country, the Morrison Government is enabling local communities to take the lead on practical environmental action in their areas, and this Sanctuary is one example of that,” Senator Molan said.

“Threatened species in the Snowys, down the Monaro and on the South Coast are particularly vulnerable at the moment with the recent bushfires. This project from the Environment Restoration Fund complements the Government’s $50m Wildlife Recovery Package – which includes funding for local Natural Resource Management groups to undertake emergency feral pest and weed eradication.”

The Wandiyali-Environa Wildlife Sanctuary is managed by the Wandiyali Restoration Trust.

For the original media release, visit https://minister.awe.gov.au/ley/media-releases/joint-media-release-12-million-haven-threatened-species