Werribee Open Range Zoo Victoria’s state zoo to become an amusement park

Simon Hampel

Simon Hampel

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Victoria’s state zoo to become an amusement park

The 7.30 Report - ABC

For a quarter of a century, Victorians have been able to sample a taste of African wildlife at the state's open range zoo just outside Melbourne. But it seems watching big game in a natural setting isn't thrilling enough in this high-tech age, so now a private company wants to take over the zoo and turn it into an African themed amusement park. The idea of rhinos and lions sharing space with rollercoasters has horrified some supporters of the zoo, as has the Victorian Government's unbridled enthusiasm for the venture.
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[ame=http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200805/r246444_1007107.asx]7.30 Report - 01-May-2008[/ame]

(also see this thread: http://www.zoobeat.com/51/werribee-disneyland-15733/ )
 
My 3 cents worth .......

I think there is already another thread on this whole matter -- I remember reading an email that was sent by Jay .....

Perhaps the Premiere could also establish a theme park complete with double loop triple inverted roller coasters and waterslides in the Victoria Museum first , so he can show all of us ignorant flat earth society members that such ventures will (1) be hugely successful
(2) increase conservation/breeding programmes with the establishment of fairground rides ...... ?!?!

Look what happened at Sydney with their huge Wonderland ( or whatever it was called -- that also had an animal reserve ) -- now CLOSED
If that sort of venture doesnt work in the largest city in Australia , how can they GARUANTEE success in Werribee ?
What will happen if the venture is not a success ? Will Werribee be left without a zoo , just because a theme park closes ?
Where are all the visitors going to stay ? How many large hotels are there in Werribee ? None ? ..... oh , then how about Hoopers Crossing ? Or Lara ?

Perhaps there is a large Hilton , Hyatt , Marriots hotel complexes in Geelong ?



Oh OK , everybody will be coming from Melbourne . Along the way you will pass alot of Melbournes heavy industry . Change transport at Werribee station . As if the local transport can handle 10 000 to 15 000 extra people per day that wont be driving out there ......

I dont live in Melbourne , but it dont take much for me to figure out that even if the idea is a good idea , the developers havent bothered to have an alternative site analysis study

Call me cynical , but this must be one of the dummest ideas on whichever side of the black stump . I am sure that the majority of viewers will agree with me on principal of zoos/amusement parks , but I say it will not work because of poor economic planning issues
 
dark days ahead i feel....................i have voiced my concerns on this one already and feel this one could seal the fate of zoos Victoria as a whole.
also goes to show what happens when you appoint too many commercial minded people with a sinister agenda on the board of what is supposed to be a public good.
i still cant get over the fact that the government can so brazenly consider to sell off a public good. Melbourne could end up with a Disney in the Botanical Gardens next.
 
I received a reply to my email to the State Govt about my opposition. They just basically said the same garbage that they have told the papers. The govt. seems very keen on it and I feel very pessimistic about the results.
 
Well I'm all for a themepark that isn't on the goldcoast but why not make one from scratch? Why ruin something that is of educational and enviromental value by changing into some silly commercial exploit? I seriously doubt VR are doing this to attract more tourists and revenue to werribee, more like attract more dough into their own pockets....

What's even better is we won't be able to call it werribee zoo anymore, it will be 'african safari land' :rolleyes:
 
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