Gunnedah’s breeding koalas and more than half of Waterways Wildlife Park’s animal species were to go under temporary arrangements suggested by a park manager from Sydney.
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It was the main reason behind the decision of Waterways’ owner-manager Nancy Small to decline council’s offer to the fund a manager position in Gunnedah for 12 months.
“I’m not giving up,” Mrs Small said.
The Sydney manager sought an initial reduction in Waterways’ species from 55 to just 15. Of the big animals, only the emu, ostrich and a few kangaroos would have definitely remained had Waterways proceeded with the manager’s plans. It is understood the reduction was a provisional measure while the park regained stability. But park volunteer Karen Fox feared it would become permanent and said things would have never been the same.
“Waterways would have lost its soul,” Ms Fox said. “We get emotional about this place.”
The fate of the park’s koalas was also unclear.
“It was not black and white, they were not saying they were going or not,” she said.
What documents obtained by Waterways did say about their koalas was that the new management would “look to source other breeding opportunities”.
Waterways park owners are now negotiating directly with Department of Primary Industries (DPI) on compliance issues. These issues are to be resolved by the end of April or the park risks immediate closure.
“That’s the chance we have to take,” Mrs Small said.
Some issues centred around the park’s ability to store fresh food for animals. Staff say food is delivered daily and rarely stored. Other DPI concerns about animal access to fresh water were strenuously denied.
Issues around park funding, which relied heavily on donations and sponsorship, were also raised.
“They wanted a dollar value that would match gate takings,” Ms Fox said.
Staff say communication between Waterways and DPI has also improved, giving hope of a positive outcome.
“DPI has been really open to us,” Ms Fox said.
Waterways also thanked Gunnedah council for its support, despite declining its assistance.
“Council had our best interests at heart,” she said.
A DPI spokesman said it was working with Waterways regarding ongoing compliance matters and was not able to make any further comment at this time. The Sydney park manager was also unavailable for comment.
