Warren Entsch (Leichhardt, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I recently attended a special event in my electorate to mark the start of the relocation of hundreds of agile wallabies to a safer habitat. It will be Australia's largest ever macropod relocation. The Trinity Beach wallabies have become a much-loved part of our community but, sadly, have fallen victim to urban sprawl. The relocation effort, including a significant court battle brought on by the Queensland state government, has been driven by community volunteer group The Agile Project, spearheaded by Shai Ager. Shai has been the wallabies' biggest advocate, champion and protector. She has raised the awareness of the plight of these magnificent animals and has taken the community on a successful journey to protect them. This was no more evident than when the group recently called out, asking if anybody could help with a van that they could use for the relocation. The group had a van within a few hours. Later, thanks to the generosity of local businessman Darren Halpin, the Marlin Coast Men's Shed got to work, fitting out the van to make it suitable for the safe translocation of the animals. The relocation efforts are now in full swing, with 10 wallabies per day being relocated under the careful supervision of a vet. Wallabies are being taken to several private properties north and south of Cairns, all of which are surrounded by national park. Let's hope that their new location becomes a happy home for them for many, many years to come. Again I'd like to say thank you very much to Shai Ager and the team. She was prepared to get out there and make it happen, and we have to be very proud of her contribution.