Funding available to help protect Ipswich environment and wildlife
24 February 2022
Ipswich environment and wildlife carers can put up their hands for financial support, with council’s Environment and Sustainability Community Funding Program open for applications.
Environment and Sustainability Committee Chair Councillor Milligan said council aims to encourage community involvement in the achievement of environmental sustainability.
“We couldn’t do it without our dedicated community groups and volunteers, and that is why we are committed to supporting them where it counts,” Cr Milligan said.
Environment and Sustainability Committee Deputy Chair Councillor Andrew Fechner said Ipswich boasts a unique landscape with over 6,500 hectares of reserves and conservation estate, and hosts a diverse range of wildlife, with more than 500 species identified in the region.
“Council has a solid background of delivering nature conservation outcomes, and endeavours to create a resilient natural environment and lessen the impact of detrimental processes,” Cr Fechner said.
Local environmental groups can apply for grants of up to $2,000 per funding round to help with projects that protect the environment and encourage sustainability.
Wildlife carers are able to apply for up to $1,000 per funding round.
Secretary of Orphan Native Animal Rear and Release Association (ONARR) Beverley Clarke, who has been raising orphaned and injured native animals and releasing them into the wild for 33 years, said the funding program has proved extremely helpful.
“At the moment I have 26 animals under my care including a whiptail wallaby, six ringtail possums, a brushtail joey, a Sulphur crested cockatoo, nine rainbow lorikeets, two whistling ducklings, a purple swamp hen chick, and a boobook owl,” Beverley said.
“Being a wildlife carer is a wonderful experience, but anyone interested in becoming one should be prepared to put their hands in their pockets if no grants are available because food, medicine, and other equipment can quickly add up.
“In the last Environment and Sustainability Community Funding Program funding round, members of our group received grants that covered two new aviaries, a few hundred dollars’ worth of bird food, and a carry cage.
“Council funding has been a great help over the years to carers in this region.”
The Environment and Sustainability Community Funding Program application window closes at midnight on 28 February 2022.
There are four rounds of funding each year.
Guidelines and online application forms are available on council’s website: ipswich.qld.gov.au/community/funding-and-support
For any queries or assistance, please contact the Community Funding and Support team at communityfunding@ipswich.qld.gov.au or phone 3810 6648.