FAQs

The Koala Island Foundation has gained funding from the Federal Government, the project will provide new/redevelop infrastructure and services to support the sustainable growth of one of Gippsland's most iconic environmental and wildlife experiences and East Gippsland Shire Council in partnership with varies key bodies will endeavor to deliver:

• The extension and enhancement of the koala trail to ‘spread the load’ of visitors.
• New and expanded infrastructure and amenities to improve the visitor experience. 
• Environmental improvements to enhance habitat and support sustainability.
• Koala care, rehabilitation, and wildlife education.
• Indigenous interpretation, and cultural education.
• Visitor interpretive infrastructure and materials.

The total budget for the project is $800,000 – With contributions of $300,000 from Local Roads and Community Infrastructure through the Federal Government and $500,000 from Regional Recovery Partnerships also through the Federal Government

Parks Victoria have received an additional $350,000 funding through the Minister for Tourism Grant from the State Government to also contribute to this project.

The start date of the construction has not been determined yet as East Gippsland Shire Council is still only at very early concept stage of the project.

East Gippsland Shire Council has established a Project Control Group and moving forward Council will be going out to public consultation, the exact dates for this will be determined in the next coming months.

Comments can be sent at any time via the comments section in this Your Say page.

You can get more information on the project by phone to the Project Development Officer, Ashlee Dixon-Tong who can be contacted on 035153 9500 or feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au

This Your Say page will be regularly updated. Check the 'Project Updates' section.

Council has established a Control group to guide the project.  

Members of the Control group include:

• East Gippsland Shire Council 
• Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning 
• Parks Victoria 
• Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation 
• Koala Island Foundation 
• Paynesville Business & Tourism Association
• Raymond Island Community Association (RICA)
• Raymond Island Sustainability Association (RISA)
• Raymond Island Landcare

At this stage, no tenders have been let for the project, but the works will be undertaken by contractors managed through East Gippsland Shire Council’s procurement processes in partnership with Parks Victoria and GLaWAC.