At the November Council Meeting, Gunnedah Shire Council resolved to offer up to $100,000 funding over 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 strategic plan to improve compliance and enable the park to remain open now and into the future.

The park has been experiencing difficulty for some time and Council has been working closely with the DPI and the Smalls to navigate an outcome to ensure the park stays open. Friends of the Wildlife Park will meet with representatives from Council, Featherdale Wildlife Park and the DPI on Monday evening to discuss logistics and determine how the park will operate under the new structure.

“This is such a great outcome. The Smalls, along with Friends of the Wildlife Park have done a wonderful job of providing this facility for the community for many years. It really is such an asset to our community- from both an educational and tourism standpoint. We are very pleased that Council can work together with Nancy and Col and the DPI, so that the Park will remain open for future generations to enjoy.” Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“We are pleased to be working collectively with Nancy and Colin Small, Friends of Waterways Wildlife Park Inc., Featherdale Wildlife Park, and Gunnedah Shire Council in an effort to ensure the viability of the Park into the future” said Peter Day, Director, Biosecurity and & Food Safety Compliance, Department Primary Industries NSW.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.