Upgrades to exhibits at Dubbo’s Taronga Western Plains Zoo have been placed on the back burner for the time being, but a $7 million redevelopment to the 31-year-old entrance of the zoo remains intact, in the light of the Government’s mini-budget handed down last week.
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The exact details of the projects no longer commencing at the zoo are still being finalised, but some zoo exhibit upgrades have been deferred.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s general manager Matt Fuller said the funding cuts were “disappointing” in terms of timing, but they are “thankful” and “appreciative” for the “significant” works that have been maintained at the zoo.
“We’re fortunate in that a lot of our planning for future projects is well advanced,” Mr Fuller said.
“That means that as soon as we have funds available, we’ll be able to start work on these projects.”
Funding for on-going maintenance at the zoo has not been changed and there are no cuts to staffing numbers.
A total revamp of the entrance to the zoo totalling $7million will also remain intact and construction to stage two of the endangered Tasmanian Devil breeding complex will go ahead.
The re-development of the new entrance on Obley Road will include a visitors precinct, with hopes that by 2010 the community will be able to gain free access to the new visitor precinct and children’s playground area.
“We are delighted that there are no staffing cuts and that the new development of the Obley Road visitor precinct, which is vitally important to our contribution to the Orana region, will go ahead as planned,” Mr Fuller said.
“We’re fortunate to be able to continue construction to the new breeding complex for the Tasmanian Devils and we’re on target to commence the front entry facilities in the coming months.”
Mr Fuller said the funding changes do not impact on the zoo’s ability to deliver key conservation, scientific, research and education programs on a daily basis.
Mr Fuller said over the master plan redevelopment program which started in 2000, the zoo will have delivered more than $18 million in capital works projects.
“We completed the Wild Asian Wetlands exhibit, a breeding complex for the Greater One-Horned Rhinos, major upgrades of our elephant facility and veterinary centre and the first stage of the Tasmanian devil breeding facilities,” he said.
belinda.galloway@ruralpress.com
