The National Parks and Wildlife Service has a team visiting Narrandera this week to conduct aspects of koala research in the Narrandera Reserve.

This team will be working with Dr Joanne Connolly from Charles Sturt University.

Dr Connolly’s proposed research will involve further steps in the research proposal to establish a koala research centre in Narrandera and will complement and build further on the data being collected by the team from the Koalas Biodiversity and Ecological Health Branch of NPWS.

The NPWS Project Officer for the field study has suggested that a collaborative meeting be held following the study between her team, CSU and Council to discuss the data findings and determine the next steps.

The Narrandera Shire Council’s Economic Development and Tourism team has progressively pursued opportunities to engage relevant individuals, groups and organisations to determine the most likely scenario that will lead to the establishment of a koala research centre in Narrandera as advocated by Council.

The proposal also received enthusiastic support from State Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke, Federal Member Sussan Ley and representatives from NPWS for the proposal and various funding sources for various koala sustainability projects have been identified.

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Veterinary Science at Wagga Wagga has shown strong interest in being involved in research work that would lead to the establishment of a research centre in some form or another.

Dr Joanne Connolly of CSU’s School of Veterinary Sciences visited Narrandera on several occasions with her team to meet with Council and members of the Koala Regeneration Committee.

This led to the production of a Statement of Collaboration by the CSU team addressing the various aspects of a research program.

To further the research intentions of the CSU team, a funding submission was lodged in accordance with the NSW Koala Strategy funding guidelines.

Narrandera Council offered co-funding of $3000 from available funds as determined by Narrandera Mayor Cr Neville Kschenka and the two appointed Council delegates to the Koala Regeneration Committee.

The outcome of the funding application is currently awaited.

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 30 June 2022.