Narrandera Shire Council has approved the transfer of $4502.20 from the Koala Regeneration Advisory Committee reserve to support the relocation of two koala rehabilitation enclosures to a suitable local wildlife carer.

The late Lindsay Hayes was a long-standing and highly respected independent wildlife carer who made a significant contribution to the welfare and rehabilitation of the Narrandera koala population.

During her decades of service, Ms Hayes successfully secured multiple grants to support koala conservation initiatives, including the construction of two purpose-built rehabilitation enclosures on her Numeralla property at 116 Woolscour Road, Narrandera.

These enclosures were designed to provide humane and species-appropriate facilities for koalas undergoing rehabilitation: one accommodating a single animal, and the second designed to house either two adult females or a mother with dependent young. The facilities are of an exceptionally high standard and remain unmatched by other enclosures available to wildlife carers within the region.

Following Ms Hayes’ passing, her daughters, Cindy Doyle and Tammy Hayes, engaged with the Koala Advisory Committee to explore opportunities to ensure their mother’s legacy and the continued operational use of the enclosures can be preserved.

Local and regional wildlife carers have also expressed support for maintaining these.

The Numeralla enclosures represent a critical asset for koala care within the Narrandera local government area, particularly given the rising number of koalas requiring rehabilitation. Loss of access to these facilities would significantly impact the capacity of local carers to meet current and future demand.

There are presently four WIRES volunteers operating within the Narrandera LGA, with two in the process of obtaining full authorisation to care for koalas. Both prospective carers have demonstrated competency in species handling and care and have reliable access to appropriate daily browse. These carers have indicated their willingness and capacity to utilise the enclosures should they be relocated.

In recent discussions with Ms Doyle and her sister, a mutual desire was expressed to ensure that the enclosures remained accessible for active rehabilitation work. Given the internal challenges currently affecting WIRES’ operational structures and noting Ms Hayes’ historic preference for independent wildlife care, it was considered appropriate that the future management of these enclosures remain independent of WIRES.

The enclosures are of considerable size - measuring 2m x 2.4m x 2.3m and 2m x 7m x 3m - and both comply with the standards prescribed under the Code of Practice for injured, sick and orphaned koalas issued by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

The committee has identified an opportunity to relocate the enclosures to a suitable site where they can be placed under the stewardship of authorised local carers. To progress this action, funding support was required from the Koala Regeneration Committee reserve funds held by council.

The relocation of the two koala rehabilitation enclosures will incur costs associated with dismantling, transport, re-establishment, and any required site preparation works.

Preliminary estimates indicate that the total cost can be met through the Koala Regeneration Committee reserve fund. No additional budget allocation is required.

Approval for the reallocation of reserve funds was granted by council to enable the timely relocation and reinstatement of the enclosures for ongoing use in koala rehabilitation activities.