BIEPA is now initiating a preliminary scoping study to take the next step: drawing on the work of scientists, conservation managers and reintroduction experts, to assess whether emus could return safely and sustainably. We are bringing together Traditional Owners, respected organisations and university researchers– combining cultural knowledge, local experience and science to shape the investigation.

The study will also explore how Bribie Island might fit into a wider regional effort to restore coastal emus. Could Bribie become a complementary piece of the puzzle, helping rebuild a future for emus across the region? This is one of the possibilities the study will examine.

The work will consider habitat, food and water requirements, threats, animal welfare, effects on other wildlife, and the long-term resources and responsibilities involved. It will identify knowledge gaps, research needs and any habitat restoration required, guiding whether a more detailed feasibility assessment should follow. 

By taking a collaborative first step, we hope to turn a longstanding community dream into an informed plan for the future.