Palaszczuk Government invests an additional $1M into Fraser Coast turtle centre

• The Palaszczuk Government’s 2023/24 State Budget invests an additional $1 million to help establish the Fraser Coast Marine Turtle Rehabilitation and Research Centre.
• The budget allocation is on top of an earlier commitment of $230,000 to purchase specialist turtle life support equipment.
• The centre will be established by the University of the Sunshine Coast, with the support of the Fraser Coast Regional Council and additional partners.

The Palaszczuk Government will invest an additional $1 million into the development of a turtle rehabilitation facility on the Fraser Coast which is expected to aid the recovery of more than 150 sick and injured marine turtles every year.

The Fraser Coast Marine Turtle Rehabilitation and Research Centre, led by UniSC, will be a regional hub for research, education and training as well as community outreach which will support efforts to protect and conserve marine turtles in Queensland. 

Visiting Hervey Bay today, Environment Minister Leanne Linard said the additional $1 million investment made in the 2023/2024 budget was on top of an earlier commitment of $230,000 to purchase specialist turtle life support equipment.

The Great Sandy Strait, adjacent to the Fraser Coast, is visited by six of the world’s seven marine turtle species including the endangered loggerhead, the vulnerable green, hawksbill and flatback turtles.

Sadly, these protected marine animals face threats including boat strikes and habitat disruption.

Data collected through the centre will also help UniSC continue important research on the emergence of new mystery disease eating away at the shells of turtles, that is so far contained to the Great Sandy Region.

Quotes attributable to Environment Minister, Leanne Linard:

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to protecting our natural environment and the species who live within it.

“The additional $1M in funding being provided through the 2023/24 State Budget for the Fraser Coast Marine Turtle Rehabilitation and Research Centre is a further demonstration of that commitment.

“This facility will bridge a gap between much-needed turtle care and rehabilitation and ongoing turtle health research, improving the chances of survival for individual turtles and turtle conservation as a whole.

“Once complete and operating, the facility will allow for the improved protection of marine turtles and improved recovery rates of sick and injured marine turtles.

“It will also provide research opportunities into marine turtle diseases, emerging threats to marine turtles and other marine life.

“The new centre will also improve community awareness of the plight of marine turtles and the need to maximise biodiversity in the region through education led by UniSC.

“This is a great investment for the Fraser Coast and Queensland as a whole as we work to preserve our precious marine wildlife.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Hervey Bay, Adrian Tantari:

“The Fraser Coast is one of four major sea turtle stranding ‘hotspots’ in Queensland and has experienced an increase in sick and injured marine turtles as a result of last year’s extreme weather events in Southern Queensland.

“Currently, sick or injured turtles are assessed and transported by turtle rescue volunteers to specialist facilities on the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast for rehabilitation due to no local facilities.

“For the dozens of turtles rescued from the Great Sandy region every year, the minimum two-hour journey to a facility can create additional risks and hinder an animal’s ability to recover.

“The turtle rehab facility in Hervey Bay will mean turtles can receive urgent care quicker, increasing their chance of survival.”

Quotes attributable to University of the Sunshine Coast Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett:

“This exciting collaboration draws on UniSC’s global research expertise on marine turtles, including threats from human impacts such as micro-plastics and other pollutants.

“To rescue and rehabilitate sea turtles is vitally important, as is understanding the cause of these turtle strandings and deaths.  

“The data on turtle health and movement gathered through this centre will provide critical understanding of the ecology and sustainability of the different species who live here and will give us new insights into the threats facing Australia’s sea turtles.

“We are extremely thankful to receive this funding from the State Government, and to work with Turtles in Trouble Rescue and other key partners including Australia Zoo, Fraser Coast Regional Council and the Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (BNTAC) on this important initiative.”

Quotes attributable to Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour:

“I have been with the local rescue group, Turtles in Trouble, on a number of their rescues. 

“We are seeing a high number of strandings and floaters: there is something very detrimentally affecting the health of our turtle population and it is good to see that the marine scientists at USC will be able to further their studies and help find a solution to save these endangered animals.

“The high number of turtles needing to be rescued is very concerning. These are endangered species and the soft shell syndrome needs to be studied and understood so we can better help them.

“We are very grateful for the State Government’s support on this issue.”

ENDS

Media contact: Scott Chandler – (07) 3719 7339