27.1.11

Abigroup, builders of the Peninsula Link freeway project, today presented essential supplies it has collected for Australian Wildlife Assistance Rescue and Education (AWARE), a not-for-profit, volunteer rescue group dedicated to helping sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.

 

Over several weeks, the Abigroup and Linking Melbourne Authority teams gathered supplies including blankets, towels, pet carry cages, washing up liquid, latex gloves, laundry baskets, material to make animal pouches and wire for aviaries, along with a cash donation of $300.  

 

“The team really appreciates the assistance AWARE has given to the project,” said project spokesperson Carol Bartley. “We hope this donation assists AWARE to continue the great work they do for those who can’t help themselves.”

 

AWARE has played an important role in the Peninsula Link project by helping to care for and re-home animals that were living in the freeway reserve prior to construction, bringing valuable knowledge about wildlife and the local area into the process.

 

The work of AWARE was in addition to Abigroup’s dedicated team of environmental officers and coordinators to monitor and reduce the impact from works on known fauna habitats along the freeway corridor. As well as developing environmental plans and strategies for the project, the team is responsible for inspecting tree hollows, burrows and nests for signs of fauna and using wildlife carers to assist with relocating fauna found on site.

 

Following Abigroup’s search and rescue efforts, fauna such as the blotched blue-tongue lizard, short-beaked echidna, tree dragons, swamp rats, ringtail and brushtail possums, sugar gliders and native bird species were entrusted to the care of AWARE volunteers.

For further information about AWARE and how to support them visit www.awarewildlife.org.au

From Left to right: Angela Clarkson, Janet Wheeler and Gillian Donath from AWARE with Samantha Court from Abigroup holding ducklings currently in Gillian’s care.