Thursday, 2 May 2019

Western Victoria Region

In reply to Mr MEDDICK (Western Victoria) (21 March 2019)

Ms D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park—Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Minister for Solar Homes):

Victoria has a large network of dedicated volunteer wildlife rehabilitation organisations and shelter operators who respond to calls for assistance with sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.

I acknowledge that Wildlife Victoria provides a valued service to the community through the operation of its call centre, and this is a significant contribution to the overall wildlife rehabilitation effort. Discussions are underway with Wildlife Victoria regarding ensuring it has a sustainable business model to be able to continue to provide this service into the future.

In recognition of the hard work and dedication of these volunteers, the Victorian Government has invested in the Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants Program which, now in its 11th year, provides funding to support wildlife shelter operators and foster carers, to purchase a range of equipment and infrastructure to assist with the operation of their facilities and to attend appropriate training.

Since it began in 2008, the Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants Program has provided over $1.3 million to volunteer shelter operators and foster carers.

A Help for Injured Wildlife tool has also recently been developed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, which connects members of the public with the contacts and information they require to get help with sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. This tool is a key action under the Victorian Government’s Living with Wildlife Action Plan.