Peppercorn lease granted for Wildlife Hospital Foundation

Published 29 October 2025

Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital Foundation Director Christine West and City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery are standing behind a koala on a tree branch. They are both smiling and the koala is posing in front of them among tree branches and gum leaves.

Council has granted an initial 10-year community lease for the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital Foundation, which will operate the City’s first dedicated wildlife hospital at Dakabin
The $1 a year lease will enable the Foundation to establish and operate the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital and Education Hub on a parcel of land previously allocated by Council
City of Moreton Bay is proud to support the delivery of a wildlife hospital, which will enable creatures big and small to be treated locally rather than be driven up to two hours for emergency care

City of Moreton Bay has granted the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital Foundation a $1 per annum peppercorn lease to establish and operate a facility at Dakabin.

The initial 10-year lease will allow the not-for-profit organisation to set-up and run what will be the City’s first dedicated wildlife hospital.

Council endorsed the arrangement on Wednesday, only days after the State Government announced it had signed a $15 million funding agreement for the critical project.

Acting Mayor Jodie Shipway said the peppercorn lease would help the Wildlife Hospital Foundation bring the much-needed facility to life.

“Council is proud to support the delivery of our City’s first dedicated wildlife hospital, which will advance care of our native wildlife,” she said.

“Our decision to grant an initial 10-year community lease for the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital Foundation comes after successfully advocating for state funding for the project and allocating a $3 million parcel of Council land for its construction.

“This new facility will mean injured wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos and echidnas can be treated locally rather than being driven up to two hours for care at RSPCA in Wacol or Australia Zoo in Beerwah.”

City of Moreton Bay’s extensive waterways, wetlands and bushland corridors are home to a diverse range of native species, including one of the state’s largest koala populations.

Councillor Yvonne Barlow (Division 7) said the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital and Education Hub would help protect wildlife against the impacts of human population growth.

“As we provide housing and infrastructure for our surging population, it’s important we support our native animals and this facility will do just that,” she said.

“Time is of the essence when it comes to injured wildlife, so it’s great our community leasing program will help pave the way for a local facility which will ultimately increase animal survival rates and lighten the load on our wildlife carers."

Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital Foundation Director Christine West reiterated that the lease arrangement paved the way for a vital piece of infrastructure which would allow injured and orphaned native animals to receive expert veterinary care locally.

“The establishment of the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital is such a vital step forward, a dedicated local facility that will keep care close to home, reducing transport stress on injured animals and easing the burden on our rescue network,” she said.

“We are so grateful to both the State Government and the City of Moreton Bay for their support and investment in this critical infrastructure.

“Together, through the creation of the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital, we’re building hope, improving outcomes for our City’s precious wildlife, and ensuring better support and access to care for the dedicated volunteers who rescue and care for them every day.”

The Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital and Education Hub will also provide opportunities for the community to engage with and learn about local wildlife and assist in their ongoing care, rehabilitation and release.