Sydney Zoo slams rival Taronga Zoo over $77m plans to replace old cable car attraction

Sydney’s two major zoos are at war, with Sydney Zoo trying to block a $77 million upgrade plan for Taronga Zoo.

The NSW Government has been urged to block a move by the world famous Taronga Zoo to install an upgraded cable car system amid sensational claims by rival Sydney Zoo that the development could put them out of business and does nothing to support animal conservation.

It’s a new chapter in the zoo wars that have only intensified since pop star Taylor Swift visited the Eastern Creek zoo twice on her visit to Sydney this year.

Taronga last month unveiled a $77m bid to replace its old “sky safari” system with a fleet of bigger and more spacious gondolas.

But the proposal has earned the ire of its western Sydney competitor, which claims the project could have a “significant economic impact” on its own operation.

In the latest rumble in the jungle, Sydney Zoo has warned of a decline in visitor numbers and even job cuts if its Mosman-based opponent’s cable car concept is given the green light.

In a submission to the NSW Government, Sydney Zoo managing director Jake Burgess also claimed Taronga’s tourist attraction plans had nothing to do with its primary goal of animal conservation.

A concept image of a new cable car station that would be built as part of the Taronga Zoo proposal.

“It is clear that the proposed development is designed to improve the competitive advantage of Taronga’s overall customer experience as opposed to improving animal conservation outcomes in direct competition with Sydney Zoo for patronage,” Mr Burgess claimed.

“This will cause significant negative impacts on total visitation at Sydney Zoo, reducing its viability and resulting in significant adverse social and economic impacts.”

The argument has raised eyebrows with industry sources, one saying “it’s a bit rich complaining about the cable car system when Taronga has had it for so long and only closed it for an upgrade”.

“Maybe they will complain about the ferry stop next year,” he said.

Another said: “It’s a bit rich to throw stones” when Sydney Zoo also has events and encounters that are not conservation-based like the Ferris Wheel the zoo had for more than a year, a light show and and other themed events.

The cable car system would transport visitors above Taronga Zoo.

The cable car battle is the not the first time century-old Taronga and its reasonably new rival have locked horns.

Harry Styles accidentally reignited the feud last year when he made a donation to Sydney’s Taronga Zoo - but it was initially announced that “Sydney Zoo” was one of 25 recipients.

The issue was later clarified.

Then came the seemingly innocent yet controversial visits to Sydney Zoo by Swift who was photographed there two days in a row, on a solo visit and then with boyfriend Travis Kelce.

Many Sydneysiders believe the pop superstar has fallen victim to the confusion.

“She couldn’t have gone literally anywhere else?! Maybe Taronga?” one person wrote on social media.

“She didn’t even try Taronga out, she went to Blacktown two days in a row,” wrote another.

Others suggested her two visits proved she had in fact, loved the visit.

“In my mind she loved it so much she just had to show Travis,” one person wrote.

Prior to the Swift stoush, Sydney Zoo won the right to keep its name after being drawn into a Federal Court legal fight by Taronga, which claimed the public might confuse the facility that only opened in 2019 with its Sydney Harbour site.

Plans for the new cable car project show the tourism attraction would have up to 25 gondolas transporting visitors between Taronga Zoo Wharf and the zoo’s main entrance.

The cable car network would be built up to 35m above ground, along the route of the old system that aged to the point it was forced to close in 2023.

Mr Burgess claimed plans for Taronga’s new project not only had “no obvious conservation outcome”, but that they also omitted “details of the purported conservation and education benefits”.

An overview of the proposed cable car route.

The submission from Sydney Zoo also claimed the project would lead to a reduction or loss of its mobile education programs, reduction or loss of on-site education programs, vocational training for TAFE and Vet Science students and a reduction or loss of breeding and preservation programs.

Sydney Zoo has also raised concerns over how Taronga’s cable car project would be funded.

“It is of significant concern to Sydney Zoo that the competitive advantage being sought by Taronga Zoo to increase patronage is being funded from public grants,” Mr Burgess wrote.

In a statement, Taronga Zoo said it was “committed to securing a shared future for wildlife and people”.

“All aspects of Taronga are informed by our expertise in wildlife conservation, education and community engagement,” a spokeswoman said.

The Taronga Zoo proposal would include purpose-built cable car stations.

“Taronga Zoo Sydney is grateful for the investment by the NSW Government which was provided to us in the 2022 financial year state budget.  

“Taronga is not-for-profit, with all revenue supporting our work saving wildlife and preventing extinction.

“The upgraded sky safari will include audio experiences within the cabins, directly connecting guests to the zoo’s conservation and education programs.”

Taronga Zoo’s plans for the project state it would “assist in securing the financial future of the zoo to ensure that it can continue to undertake a range of conservation and education projects”.

But Sydney Zoo has called for the Department of Planning – which is currently assessing the proposal – to reject the plans under the state government’s competition policy on competitive neutrality.

Prior to last year’s closure, the old Taronga cable cars had transported more than 20 million passengers over their lifespan.