The Fleay family are concerned a multi-million dollar upgrade will lose the identity of the wildlife park

THE Fleay family has expressed concern over what a planned multi-million upgrade of the David Fleay Wildlife Park will mean for their father's legacy.

Nikki Sparks with Mater the squirrel glider celebrates news the David Fleay Wildlife Park would be getting an upgrade.

THE Fleay family has expressed concern over what a planned multi-million upgrade of the David Fleay Wildlife Park will mean for their father's legacy.

David Fleay Wildlife Park will boast new animal enclosures, a large-scale amphitheatre, expanded native animal collection and even a pontoon linking the park to Tallebudgera Creek, as part of a State Government plan to give the 61-year-old icon a new lease on life.

David Fleay with a dingo pup. Pic: Supplied

A draft masterplan for the wildlife park has been released for public consultation and includes plans to drastically increase its annual patronage from 17,000 to more than 60,000.

No costs have been determined but the upgrade is expected to cost several million dollars.

Mr Fleay's son Stephen has taken to social networking site Facebook to discuss the project and said he had mixed feelings.

"In my opinion there are both good and not so good proposals," he said.

"David Fleay wanted his Fauna Reserve to continue as a haven for Australian wildlife and would not have appreciated his land being open to campers or for the launching of boats.

"In my opinion the former Fauna Reserve should of course be open to the public."

Under the plans, new signage would be installed on the major arterial roadways around the Gold Coast directing locals and tourists to the park, while a new koala enclosure and kangaroo "encounter trail will be built.

A pontoon and canoe jetty would also be installed on Tallebudgera Creek to allow visitors to arrive by water as well as the potential for kayak tours of the waterway. The existing crocodile enclosure would be relocated and ­upgraded.

Submissions have also been made to create new paths through the nearby Burleigh Headland natural park.

The park was founded in 1952 by naturalist David Fleay for native animals as well as treating the injured.

It has been in government hands for 31 years. Public consultation ends on February 28.