QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE $14 MILLION TO RSPCA FOR ITS NEW HOME
Published Sunday, 17 December, 2006 at 12:30 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Premier Peter Beattie today announced the Queensland Government would provide a $14 Million boost to the RSPCA’s plans to build a new facility to care for homeless and abused animals.
“The RSPCA has played a vital role in the protection of animals in Queensland for more than a century,” Mr Beattie said.
“Sadly, it seems, there will always be a need for someone to find, shelter and protect animals which have been the subject of neglect, cruelty and plain old indifference.
“I am very pleased to announce today that during the mid year review of the 2006-07 budget my Government has agreed to provide a total contribution of up to $14 million to allow the RSPCA to build a new facility at Redbank Plains.”
Mr Beattie said the State Government contribution was made up of a $10 million capital grant, plus the proceeds from the sale of the current Fairfield site estimated at up to $2 million, and the gifting of the proposed new site at Redbank Plains which is also valued at up to $2 million.
“The Fairfield RSPCA depot is rundown and in poor repair so I am pleased to also announce $150,000 for temporary upgrade work to keep the depot operating until the new campus is completed,” Mr Beattie said.
“The funding will target the most critical problems of an inadequate power supply, drainage issues and pest control.
“While most Brisbane people are aware of the Fairfield animal shelter, they may not be as familiar with the other services the RSPCA provides. These services include animal ambulances, veterinary services, animal behaviour assessment, a lost and found service, education programs and animal training centres,” Mr Beattie said.
“The RSPCA also investigates reports of animal cruelty and neglect and prosecutes offenders who breach Queensland’s tough animal cruelty laws,” Mr Beattie said.
During his visit to the Fairfield centre today Mr Beattie saw first hand the remarkable turnaround in the condition of two Shetland ponies that were rescued by the RSPCA in September. Both ponies, Crystal and Cinderella are recovering well. Cinderella couldn’t walk when rescued by the RSPCA earlier this year, but is healthy again and recently gave birth to a foal.
Mr Beattie also handed over two, 30 kilo bags of horse feed during his visit, and encouraged Queenslanders to give generously to support the RSPCA this Christmas.
“While the government is a strong supporter, the RSPCA it also relies on the generosity of ordinary Queenslanders to keep its services going. While cash donations are always helpful people can also donate food for the cats, dogs and other animals at the refuge,” Mr Beattie said.
The RSPCA Board President Eileen Thumpkin said the Queensland Government’s funding decision showed it genuinely cared about animal welfare.
“The new RSPCA Animal Care Campus is a first for Australia and is typical example of why Queensland is the Smart State,” Ms Thumpkin said.
“The Queensland Government has recognised how important it is to treat animals correctly. As Mahatma Ghandi said: the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
“As President of RSPCA Queensland I would like to personally thank the Premier for this magnificent step forward in Animal Welfare in this State.
“He is assisting the RSPCA to build a new Campus that will focus on education and teaching kindness to animals.
“This is a new era for RSPCA Queensland as it leads the way in Australia in the sphere of animal welfare by focusing on the education of tomorrow’s population.
“The New Campus to be located at Redbank will cost about $19 million.
“While the Government has led the way with a $14 million contribution, we now need the support of our fellow Queenslanders, both individuals and corporates, to help us raise the other $5 million to ensure the campus is built and completed soon.
“The new facility will feature world’s best practice design and will be the modelled on similar projects in Portland Oregon and San Diego California in the United States.
“We expect it to take nearly 2 years to complete the project. This is a tight timeframe in the current over heated construction market so it is essential we raise the balance of funding quickly to ensure we can get on with the work.
“Last year RSPCA Qld cared for 41,000 Animals State wide. We hope the new campus, which is designed specifically to educate the community, will eventually see a reduction in the number of animals needing care.
“The animals of Queensland are thankful to the Premier's dog, Rusty, who has been able to influence the Premier the need for this new home for our unwanted and injured canine friends,” Ms Thumpkin said.
“Australia has the highest pet ownership in the world and this Queensland Government decision in supporting the RSPCA reinforces the community’s views of how important animals are in the fabric of our society.”
Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
RSPCA Queensland 3426 9935
17 December 2006.
“The RSPCA has played a vital role in the protection of animals in Queensland for more than a century,” Mr Beattie said.
“Sadly, it seems, there will always be a need for someone to find, shelter and protect animals which have been the subject of neglect, cruelty and plain old indifference.
“I am very pleased to announce today that during the mid year review of the 2006-07 budget my Government has agreed to provide a total contribution of up to $14 million to allow the RSPCA to build a new facility at Redbank Plains.”
Mr Beattie said the State Government contribution was made up of a $10 million capital grant, plus the proceeds from the sale of the current Fairfield site estimated at up to $2 million, and the gifting of the proposed new site at Redbank Plains which is also valued at up to $2 million.
“The Fairfield RSPCA depot is rundown and in poor repair so I am pleased to also announce $150,000 for temporary upgrade work to keep the depot operating until the new campus is completed,” Mr Beattie said.
“The funding will target the most critical problems of an inadequate power supply, drainage issues and pest control.
“While most Brisbane people are aware of the Fairfield animal shelter, they may not be as familiar with the other services the RSPCA provides. These services include animal ambulances, veterinary services, animal behaviour assessment, a lost and found service, education programs and animal training centres,” Mr Beattie said.
“The RSPCA also investigates reports of animal cruelty and neglect and prosecutes offenders who breach Queensland’s tough animal cruelty laws,” Mr Beattie said.
During his visit to the Fairfield centre today Mr Beattie saw first hand the remarkable turnaround in the condition of two Shetland ponies that were rescued by the RSPCA in September. Both ponies, Crystal and Cinderella are recovering well. Cinderella couldn’t walk when rescued by the RSPCA earlier this year, but is healthy again and recently gave birth to a foal.
Mr Beattie also handed over two, 30 kilo bags of horse feed during his visit, and encouraged Queenslanders to give generously to support the RSPCA this Christmas.
“While the government is a strong supporter, the RSPCA it also relies on the generosity of ordinary Queenslanders to keep its services going. While cash donations are always helpful people can also donate food for the cats, dogs and other animals at the refuge,” Mr Beattie said.
The RSPCA Board President Eileen Thumpkin said the Queensland Government’s funding decision showed it genuinely cared about animal welfare.
“The new RSPCA Animal Care Campus is a first for Australia and is typical example of why Queensland is the Smart State,” Ms Thumpkin said.
“The Queensland Government has recognised how important it is to treat animals correctly. As Mahatma Ghandi said: the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
“As President of RSPCA Queensland I would like to personally thank the Premier for this magnificent step forward in Animal Welfare in this State.
“He is assisting the RSPCA to build a new Campus that will focus on education and teaching kindness to animals.
“This is a new era for RSPCA Queensland as it leads the way in Australia in the sphere of animal welfare by focusing on the education of tomorrow’s population.
“The New Campus to be located at Redbank will cost about $19 million.
“While the Government has led the way with a $14 million contribution, we now need the support of our fellow Queenslanders, both individuals and corporates, to help us raise the other $5 million to ensure the campus is built and completed soon.
“The new facility will feature world’s best practice design and will be the modelled on similar projects in Portland Oregon and San Diego California in the United States.
“We expect it to take nearly 2 years to complete the project. This is a tight timeframe in the current over heated construction market so it is essential we raise the balance of funding quickly to ensure we can get on with the work.
“Last year RSPCA Qld cared for 41,000 Animals State wide. We hope the new campus, which is designed specifically to educate the community, will eventually see a reduction in the number of animals needing care.
“The animals of Queensland are thankful to the Premier's dog, Rusty, who has been able to influence the Premier the need for this new home for our unwanted and injured canine friends,” Ms Thumpkin said.
“Australia has the highest pet ownership in the world and this Queensland Government decision in supporting the RSPCA reinforces the community’s views of how important animals are in the fabric of our society.”
Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
RSPCA Queensland 3426 9935
17 December 2006.