[COM] Adelaide Zoo Redevelopment

[crawf]

Major upgrade planned for zoo

Article from: The Advertiser
JOANNA VAUGHAN
March 30, 2008 10:30pm

AN upgraded entrance, a giant panda forest and a new perimeter fence will be a part of a major refurbishment of Adelaide Zoo.

The planned facelift will showcase the site's heritage-listed front entry and is designed to connect the 130-year-old zoo to its parklands surroundings.
The upgrade, to be announced tomorrow, will modernise the zoo and prepare it for next year's arrival of two giant pandas, Wang Wang and Funi, from China.

The pandas, which are coming to Australia to breed as part of a global survival program, will be housed in state-of-the-art accommodation that will emulate their natural habitat.

More than 2000sq m of zoo land will also be returned to public use, and the safety of Botanic Park visitors will be improved with the installation of more lighting and closed circuit television security cameras. A cafe, conservation exhibition and public education facility - which will be accessible without entry to the zoo - will also be built.

The final cost of the project, scheduled to begin in July, has not yet been determined.

Adelaide Zoo chief executive officer Dr Chris West said the upgrade made a "powerful statement" about the connection between humans and nature.

"While preserving the cherished heritage of our zoo, the upgrade of its facilities will ensure our city is well equipped to meet the influx of tourism that is expected to accompany Wang Wang and Funi's arrival," he said.

"This development heralds a renaissance of Adelaide Zoo as a 21st century conservation centre.

"With our two giant pandas arriving next year, it has become even more important that the zoo is connected to the local community."

Hassell Principal of Architecture Mariano DeDuonni said the upgrade would improve sight between the River Torrens and Botanic Park.

"The perception of parklands filtering through the zoo grounds is a fundamental part of the design," he said.

"The redevelopment will engage the zoo's neighbours and reverse a long tradition of the site turning its back on the parklands."

[Howie]

Recorded this tonight ..

[crawf]

I don't think myself nor most South Australian's have any idea how big this is going to be for SA and Australia. Tourist numbers to double to around million, is massive coup for tourism.

The development looks good too

[aussie2000]

"it will make the zoo smaller" it looks like a great re-development but why make it smaller

[Wayno]

smaller in ground size with some animals going to monarto, but presumably more open, inviting and blended with the surrounding parklands...can't wait to see the detailed design and some renders.

[Omicron]

Based on the quick fly-through I saw on the news, it looks like a sound improvement.

And, we get pandas!

[Maximus]

Always in favour of an upgrade to the Zoo. I would like to see it expand in size one day, too. There is a lot of space surrounding the Zoo that could easily be used without destroying the character of the area, IMHO.

[Pistol]

From the Adelaide Zoo website. Full fly through.

Note the Gibbons in the background. Ahhh I love the zoo.
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Adelaide Zoo major refurbishment
An upgraded entrance, a giant panda forest and a new perimeter fence will be a part of a major refurbishment of Adelaide Zoo.

The planned facelift will showcase the site's heritage-listed front entry and is designed to connect the 130-year-old zoo to its parklands surroundings.

The upgrade, to be announced tomorrow, will modernise the zoo and prepare it for next year's arrival of two giant pandas, Wang Wang and Funi, from China.

The pandas, which are coming to Australia to breed as part of a global survival program, will be housed in state-of-the-art accommodation that will emulate their natural habitat.

More than 2000sq m of zoo land will also be returned to public use, and the safety of Botanic Park visitors will be improved with the installation of more lighting and closed circuit television security cameras. A cafe, conservation exhibition and public education facility - which will be accessible without entry to the zoo - will also be built.

The final cost of the project, scheduled to begin in July, has not yet been determined.

Adelaide Zoo chief executive officer Dr Chris West said the upgrade made a "powerful statement" about the connection between humans and nature.

"While preserving the cherished heritage of our zoo, the upgrade of its facilities will ensure our city is well equipped to meet the influx of tourism that is expected to accompany Wang Wang and Funi's arrival," he said.

"This development heralds a renaissance of Adelaide Zoo as a 21st century conservation centre.

"With our two giant pandas arriving next year, it has become even more important that the zoo is connected to the local community."
Hassell Principal of Architecture Mariano DeDuonni said the upgrade would improve sight between the River Torrens and Botanic Park.

"The perception of parklands filtering through the zoo grounds is a fundamental part of the design," he said.

"The redevelopment will engage the zoo's neighbours and reverse a long tradition of the site turning its back on the parklands."

[crawf]

Cheers Pistol.

Theres even talk of Elephants going to Monarto aswell

[cruisey83]

If the RAH goes after the new Marjorie Jackson gets built they'll be plenty of room for a Adelaide Zoo / Botanical Garden intergration. A lot of potential there.

[muzzamo]

whats with returning 2000 Sqm to public use??? isn't the zoo public use?

[AG]

whats with returning 2000 Sqm to public use??? isn't the zoo public use?

Adelaide Zoo has an entry fee.

[Pistol]

More than 2000sq m of zoo land will also be returned to public use, and the safety of Botanic Park visitors will be improved with the installation of more lighting and closed circuit television security cameras. A cafe, conservation exhibition and public education facility - which will be accessible without entry to the zoo - will also be built.

That's what they mean by public use...

[Edgar]

I just heard over the radio around 6 weeks ago that the pandas are not coming to Adelaide?

So now the plan is back on?

[SRW]

I just heard over the radio around 6 weeks ago that the pandas are not coming to Adelaide?

So now the plan is back on?

It was never off. The Advertiser sought to play up the expected Commonwealth budget tightening, and ran stories claiming a Labor 'razor gang' was looking to scrap the project. The story resulted, basically, because of evasive answers from the government spokesperson.