Located at Wing's Wildlife Park in North West Tasmania, a new native wildlife hospital has opened at Gunns Plains to replace the old facility which was destroyed during devastating floods in October 2022.
While flood waters impacted the Park, the native wildlife hospital sustained damage so significant that it had to be demolished. It was the region's only facility of its kind at the time.
The opening of the new North West Community Wildlife Hospital was made possible by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments under the jointly funded Community Assets Program through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Tasmanian Premier, Jeremy Rockliff and Senator for Tasmania, Anne Urquhart visited the new wildlife hospital to celebrate the Park's achievement.
The jointly Federal and State Government-funded $420,000 grant enabled Wing's Wildlife Park to rebuild the not-for-profit hospital from the ground up, including the construction of the building, electrical work, plumbing and fit out.
The Community Assets Program is part of a $15 million extraordinary support package to assist the recovery of flood-impacted Tasmanian communities, including the restoration of damaged community assets.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the reopening of the centre was a great result for the region.
"18 of Tasmania's 29 Local Government Areas were severely impacted by the extreme rainfall and flooding event in 2022," Minister Watt said.
"We are very pleased to celebrate these milestones on the road to recovery, and welcome the benefits it will have for the whole community.
"I want to personally recognise the advocacy of Senator Urquhart, who worked tirelessly to get this funding approved."
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said it was wonderful to see the new hospital at Wing's Wildlife Park, enabling them to continue to provide support to injured native animals.
"Wing's Wildlife Park was extensively damaged by the floods and the native wildlife hospital was destroyed," Premier Rockliff said.
"This investment has helped Wing's get back on its feet and continue this important community service.
"As part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future, we also committed an additional $300,000 to further support Wing's Wildlife Park."
Senator Urquhart said the re-opening was wonderful news for animal welfare, as well as local tourism.
"Wing's is a much-loved local icon, and the facility plays an important role in caring for injured and orphaned native wildlife."
"I am pleased to have advocated strongly for Federal Government assistance to support the reconstruction of a critical institution for the community, and the native wildlife of the region.
