WESTERN SYDNEY ZOO

The 16.5-hectare park will feature 30 large animal exhibitions as well as a series of public facilities. The plan makes space for an impressive list of international animal species, including elephants, gorillas, rhinoceros, lions, tigers. Many native and iconic Australian animals will also call the zoo home. 

The $36 million project will be located adjacent to Bungarribee Park, a location that benefits from transport access and is closely surrounded by Western Sydney attractions such as Eastern Creek Raceway and Wet’n’Wild.

Minister for Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres believes the zoo will further enhance the location, stating “Construction of Sydney Zoo will mean a $61 million shot in the arm for the NSW economy and create 160 full-time jobs during construction with 120 full-time jobs in place during operation.” 

According to Managing Director Jake Burgess, the new Sydney Zoo represents and embraces the “new zoo paradigm”.

“We place animal welfare above all considerations in our operations,” he said.

“We will display our animals in naturalistic settings and promote natural behaviours. This will promote awareness and an affinity with animals, improving our educational outcomes and increasing the willingness of people to value and protect them.”

Aspect Studios masterplan and landscape will consist of several elevated walkways and platforms over African grassland vegetation, allowing visitors to view the animals in a naturalised setting while safely maintaining a respectable distance. Further enclosures will feature tropical vegetation from Asian landscapes, as well as Australian bush settings for native species.   

Significant space will also be made for a range of public space facilities, picnic areas, play areas, retail and dining facilities. Many of which will be designed by Aspect Studios, JBA and Misho + Associates. Recycle materials will also be heavily incorporated into the facilities.

With nature, education and conservation a key concern of the Sydney Zoo, the area will incorporate an integrated Aboriginal and natural heritage program, focusing on the local Darug people of Western Sydney.

This program will be developed in conjunction with Muru Mittigar, a Darug Aboriginal organisation, to accurately represent the ways in which the local Darug people interacted with local flora and fauna. In doing so, the program hopes to assist visitors in exploring local Aboriginal culture and history. 

Muru Mittigar will also work closely with its Aboriginal employment and training partners to facilitate workplace opportunities for local Aboriginal school leavers and job seekers in Western Sydney in partnership with Sydney Zoo.

Sydney Zoo hopes to begin construction as soon as possible with Managing Director Jake Burgess hoping for a completion date in time for the 2018 summer school holidays.