FOR the first time since 2004, Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is closing its doors.
Ahead of the site’s redevelopment, Koala Conservation Australia is inviting the community to attend a farewell event on Saturday 3 May, to experience the current hospital for one last time.
“The whole Community Open Day is free and is our way to say ‘thank you’ to our wonderful community for [making] over half a century of koala care possible,” said Koala Conservation Australia General Manager Maria Doherty.
“While no koalas will be onsite, we will be throwing open the doors and enclosures so people can come and take a sneak-peak behind the scenes, and in the koala yards.
“We have some great activities, talks, and market stalls from our community partners, including Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Koala Smart, Hello Koalas, Tacking Point Lions Club with their BBQ, King Creek Rural RFS, Mrs Yorks Gardens, Ritchies IGA, Willing & Able, awesome music, and some yummy treats from Home @ Roto House.”
The event will run from 9am – 3pm at the Lord Street site and will finish with a koala convoy to Guulabaa in the Cowarra State Forest.
Popular with tourists and locals alike, the Koala Hospital has earned a special place in many hearts over its 52 years of operation.
Since Jean and Maxx Starr’s humble beginnings in 1974, its long-standing conservation goals have been aimed at rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming.
The hospital gained global recognition after raising over $1.9 million to care for koalas after the 2019/2020 bushfires.
In 2020, it implemented a breeding program in response to the devastation and depleted koala population and, shortly after, received a $5 million grant from the Federal Government to redevelop the site.
In 2023, the hospital increased research contributions to find solutions for chlamydia, which is the biggest killer and threat to wild koalas.
The following year, it celebrated half a century of being a leading force in koala conversation and national research.
The last renovations, which were completed in 2004, saw the clinic, Intensive Care Unit and koala yards rebuilt.
Treating up to 250 koalas a year and over 5000 since its inception, it’s important that the hospital stays up to date with advancements in veterinary care standards and equipment, which the newest renovations will enable it to do.
“We will be offering a beautiful, tree-filled, up-close and personal experience with our koalas who live with us permanently, while our rehab yards and clinic will be given a major uplift,” Ms Doherty said.
In addition, the hospital will feature a brand-new gift shop, office and Intensive Care Unit, while offering an educative, nature-filled experience for visitors, where they can view the hospital’s work, both in the clinic and in koala feeding. “Visits to the post-mortem room will also be available for those brave enough to take a look.”
As for any concerns around what the closure means for the koalas, the community can rest easy.
“We are still continuing our core work in rescuing and treating sick and injured koalas.
“Our number will be the same, we have just temporarily moved to our second facility at Guulabaa.
“Guulabaa (“place of koala”) is located off Burrawan Forest Drive, half-way between Port Macquarie and Wauchope, and it’s where our Wild Koala Breeding and Visitor Centre is located.
“It’s a lovely tree-filled environment that’s available for locals and tourists to visit and learn about our conservation efforts in this region to save our beloved koalas.”
Five exhibit koalas remain at the hospital. After its closure, they will join those moved to Guulabaa in December.
The Wild Koala Breeding Centre boasts new rehabilitation enclosures for in-patients, and a brand new, state-of-the-art vet clinic and research laboratory along with the centre’s founder population of breeding koalas.
At the heart of the Koala Hospital’s bond with the community are the volunteers who will continue to share their passion and knowledge with visitors, veterinary students and overseas voluntary workers.
“We love what we do and with the species now dying out, we need to work harder than ever before.”
Koala Conservation Australia hopes to re-open the newly developed Koala Hospital in 2026.
By Rikki WALLER
