Gunnedah Shire Council has tonight resolved to offer up to $100,000 funding over the next twelve months for the Gunnedah Waterways Wildlife Park. The funds are proposed to cover up to $75,000 for the appointment of a Wildlife Park Manager, and up to $25,000 for the accommodation of the manager who will be instituted at the park as part of a wider strategic plan to enable the park to remain open now and into the future.

The proposal comes as the park has been facing closure for some time, as they have been unable to comply with requirements set by the Department of Primary Industries.
In a bid to stop the looming closure, Councillor Owen Hasler contacted the DPI in September prior to the council elections in order to assert Gunnedah Shire Council’s support for owners Nancy and Col Small and the Waterways Wildlife Park. Since that time, Mayor Jamie Chaffey, Deputy Mayor Gae Swain and General Manager Eric Groth have worked tirelessly with numerous groups including Nancy and Col Small, Peter Long, other wildlife industry stakeholders and the DPI to help find a solution that will allow the park to continue to remain open.

The Wildlife Park Manager is proposed to come from Featherdale Wildlife Park, a respected park within the industry, and will provide expert advice in order to

Resolve concerns about the Park’s current operation;

Meet animal welfare obligations now and into the future;

Ensure appropriate resourcing forth the operation now and into the future.

The park has faced closure before, and the Gunnedah Shire Council and community rallied behind owners Col and Nancy Small to keep the much loved local tourist attraction open.
“Firstly, we really want to recognize the significant work that Nancy and Col and Friends of Waterways have undertaken for decades. They have made a huge commitment- not only to the community, but to the wildlife in the area” Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“The Waterways Wildlife Park is such an important asset to our community, from both an educational and a tourism standpoint. We are really lucky to have the facility in the area and we’re doing everything we can to assist the Smalls to keep the park open. We’re pleased to have been able to work with all parties to come up with a plan to enable to park to remain open for the benefit of the community” Mayor Chaffey concluded.

ENDS

Media Contact: Tom Plevey 6740 2100