A Dedicated Marine Turtle Rehab Facility
Our vision is to establish a dedicated facility on the Capricorn Coast that supports the rehabilitation, recovery and release of marine turtles while becoming a centre for marine conservation, education, research, citizen science and community stewardship within the southern Great Barrier Reef.
Respond. Rehabilitate. Recover. Release.
Building Local Capacity for Marine Turtle Care
The proposed facility at Causeway Lake will build local capacity for the rehabilitation and recovery of sick, injured and compromised marine turtles, while supporting marine conservation, education, research, citizen science and community participation.
A site has been secured through a lease arrangement at Causeway Lake, and CCMC is progressing the planning, design, technical investigations, partnerships and approvals required to bring the project to life.
Why a Local Facility Matters
Reduced transport needs
Dedicated capacity on the Capricorn Coast reduces the need for turtles to be transported long distances for rehabilitation.
Supporting turtle recovery
Provides another appropriate pathway for marine turtles requiring ongoing rehabilitation, care and recovery.
A more connected community
Creates stronger links between turtle stranding response, rehabilitation, research, education and community.
Part of a bigger network
Designed to complement Queensland’s existing marine turtle rehabilitation services and partnerships.
A Dedicated Rehab & Conservation Centre
The proposed Causeway Lake facility is being developed as a dedicated marine turtle rehabilitation and conservation centre.
The project is being designed to provide the infrastructure required to support marine turtle rehabilitation, including purpose-designed rehabilitation tanks and associated water, filtration, circulation and operational systems necessary to maintain appropriate conditions for turtles in care.
The facility is being developed in stages, allowing CCMC to establish essential rehabilitation capacity first while creating opportunities for the centre to grow as funding, partnerships and community support develop.
Detailed design, technical investigations and the relevant planning, environmental and regulatory approvals will guide the final configuration of the facility.
More Than Rehabilitation
The project has always been about more than building a facility to care for marine turtles.
The centre is intended to become a focal point for marine turtle conservation and community stewardship on the Capricorn Coast, bringing together:
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Marine turtle rehabilitation and recovery
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Marine turtle stranding response
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Research and scientific collaboration
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Citizen science and environmental monitoring
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Traditional Owner knowledge and Caring for Sea Country
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School and community education
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Volunteer participation and training
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Marine debris and threat-reduction initiatives
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Partnerships with researchers, conservation organisations and the wider community
Together, these activities will help build greater understanding of marine turtles, the habitats they depend upon and the pressures affecting them, while creating opportunities for the community to participate directly in marine conservation.
Why Causeway Lake?
Causeway Lake provides a local base on the Capricorn Coast within a region surrounded by significant marine turtle habitats across the southern Great Barrier Reef.
The site provides an opportunity to establish dedicated rehabilitation infrastructure while connecting the project with the coastal and marine environment that CCMC exists to protect.
CCMC is working with relevant authorities, technical specialists, researchers and project partners as the design and development pathway progresses.
Working Together
A project of this scale relies on collaboration.
CCMC is building relationships with Traditional Owners, government, researchers, universities, marine conservation organisations, schools, community groups, businesses, volunteers and supporters to help develop the expertise and long-term support required for the centre.
Traditional Owner knowledge and meaningful engagement are an important part of this work, recognising the enduring cultural connections and responsibilities for Sea Country across our region.
The project provides opportunities to strengthen connections between scientific research, community knowledge, citizen science and practical marine conservation.
Where the Project Is Now
The project has progressed through important early stages of development (updated October 2026):
Site
secured
CCMC has secured the proposed site at Causeway Lake.
Rehabilitation permit
CCMC holds a Queensland wildlife rehabilitation permit for marine turtles.
Concept plan completed
Concept planning and design work has been done for the facility.
Further work underway
Further design, technical, environmental and regulatory work is progressing.
Seeking funding
CCMC is pursuing major funding opportunities and building the partnerships needed to deliver stage 1.
We will continue to share project milestones and updates with our community as the project progresses.
Help Bring the Centre to Life!
Building dedicated marine turtle rehabilitation capacity on the Capricorn Coast will require strong community, partner and supporter involvement.
Donations help CCMC progress the rehabilitation project and support our broader marine turtle conservation, education and community activities.
