Is it still costing about $20 million Australian for the project, and is it still due to open before Christmas '09? That will be just in time for the Aussie summer season.
From what can be gleaned from the plan, it looks awful. Square pools with rectangular concrete abstract "rock" formations, huge visitor building....where's the habitat? Disappointingly similar to the approach taken with the Orang building (which is more forgivable given the needs and challenges of keeping orangs) and--worst of all--the entirely architectural platypus exhibit at Healesville. Melbourne seems to have lost its way after the great start 20 years ago with gorillas, mandrills and pygmy hippos exhibits.
So here are the plans and from what I could see through the fence (who doesn't do it) It looks like it will be exactley like this. I can't wait to see it.
It does look like it's been built exactly to the plan.
The pool that I thought was for rays is the correct one. Going by these plans - have they emulated Taronga's viewing window beneath the penguin pool, where they swim over your head? That's what I interpret it to mean. I also can't tell whether there's just the one aquarium, or possibly five?
Oh well. I'll be through the gates at 9am tomorrow to find out.
