The Queensland Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

Why was QWRC set up?

For many years wildlife carers across the State have been asking for a group such as this to give them much needed support, guidance and assistance. Queensland was the first State to establish a peak body representing wildlife rehabilitators with other States following in our footsteps 

The need to establish a representative body for wildlife rehabilitation in Queensland was identified within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) "Wildlife Review Discussion Paper" October 2002 after the associated public consultation meetings across the state, canvassing a review of the wildlife component of the Nature Conservation Regulation 1994.
The establishment of an association to amalgamate wildlife rehabilitation interests under an over-arching yet inclusive body was strongly sought by wildlife rehabilitators and government alike.
A steering committee was established, from nominations received from wildlife care groups across the State, relevant peak wildlife conservation and welfare organisations and relevant government departments, to progress the establishment of a state-wide wildlife rehabilitation association.
The steering committee first met in May 2003.

The steering committee comprised 9 (nine) nominated members of wildlife care associations and 1 representative each from Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland(WPSQ), Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) , Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI &F) and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and an independent Chair.
This steering committee became the Queensland Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (QWRC, pronounced Quirk) in August 2004 and received Incorporation under the Associations Incorporations Act 1981 in October 2004 as a not for profit organization.

What does QWRC do?

Our Mission Statement:

"To direct, guide and improve standards and outcomes of native wildlife rehabilitation and release, throughout Queensland."
Our slogan: "Representing Wildlife Rehabilitators".

QWRC is the peak representative organisation for the wildlife rehabilitation industry in Queensland and provides a collective voice for its members. Its focus is on ensuring excellent welfare for native animals during and post rehabilitation, to achieve, compliment and advance conservation benefits and outcomes.
The council consists of up to 15 members who will each hold one vote. Eleven of those members are carers from across the state with the other four votes being held by representatives from ZAAQ (Zoo and Aquaria Association of Qld), the DEEDI, the RSPCA, and the DERM respectively.
The primary function of elected councillors is to represent wildlife rehabilitation permit holders and to provide sound advice and direction to all parties in accordance with the QWRC mission statement.
Councillors are elected from eleven districts across Queensland to ensure the widest possible representation in the state. (Map of Districts)
QWRC works to improve wildlife rehabilitation in Queensland by providing proactive advice to all stakeholders on wildlife rehabilitation strategies and programs, liaising with all groups in developing standards and guidelines for the care of wildlife. It provides the industry with recommendations and information relating to wildlife care and works to advance and promote effective monitoring programs for all aspects of the industry and its operations.
Additionally, it considers relevant matters such as good practice, training, ethics, national and international trends, practicalities, public opinion, welfare, scientific knowledge and the economic implications for those concerned.
QWRC provides advice on any wildlife rehabilitation matter referred to it by the DERM or DEEDI and assists in the revision of relevant legislation.
Where appropriate it provides advice on submissions concerning wildlife rehabilitation received from wildlife rehabilitation organisations and agencies, industry or individuals. QWRC liaise with and promotes networking with all stakeholders particularly registered wildlife care groups, individual permit holders, and all levels of government establishing working groups and seeking wider consultation to help it carry out its functions.
 
QWRC promotes co-operation in the conduct of all business activities relating to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of wildlife. It also promotes honesty, integrity, compassion and commitment: realising that an individual's conduct reflects on the entire field of wildlife rehabilitation.
QWRC works to advance and promote community awareness, interest and support for native wildlife welfare and conservation while seeking to ensure all licensed carers in Queensland are adequately insured.

 Represents and speaks for the wildlife care industry throughout Queensland.

 Works to develop minimum standards in care and improve all aspects regarding animal welfare.

 Works with DERM in the development of educational materials designed for the general community on wildlife matters and provides an input into threatened species programs throughout the State eg (bridled nail-tail wallabies).

 Endeavours to educate the general community about the ecological and economic value of native wildlife, and work with the industry to develop accessible and affordable training packages for wildlife carers and other interested parties.

 Continues to develop more effective methods for successful rescue and rehabilitation.

 Works in conjunction with the scientific community to expand our knowledge base regarding better monitoring techniques when releasing wildlife, thus enabling QWRC to make more informed decisions having a foundation based in science.

QWRC within the wider community
 
Each wildlife rehabilitator across the state gives assistance to the general public many times everyday by offering advice over the phone or rescuing and rehabilitating sick injured and orphaned wildlife.

By having an overarching representative body in place the assistance given to each and every member of the public will become easier to obtain and less costly as most callers currently complain that it has taken several phone calls to gain assistance. We endeavour to publish accurate contact details for qualified rehabilitators to make assisting the unfortunate animals easier and cheaper.
This can only be done with the use of an accurate and well-maintained database.