Victorian State Budget 2020/21: Werribee Zoo expansion gets $84m
Werribee Open Range Zoo’s expansion plan has been given a massive funding boost in the State Government’s 2020/21 Budget. The project is slated to create jobs and draw thousands more tourists to the city’s west.
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Werribee Open Range Zoo will receive millions of dollars to build a Sky Safari and a new home for its Asian elephant herd.
The herd of six elephants, currently housed at Melbourne Zoo, will be moved to their new lodgings as part of the first stage of the zoo’s highly anticipated expansion.
In August, the zoo’s director Glen Holland told the Leader planning for the first part of the project, which included an expanded habitat for the zoo’s biggest residents, was “shovel ready”.
A new Sky Gondola, which will give visitors a bird’s eye view of the zoo’s grounds, will also be included in the works.
On Wednesday, the State Government announced $84 million had been earmarked for the project in its upcoming 2020/21 Budget.
Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the new elephant habitat would be the “gold standard” in animal welfare.
While Werribee MP Tim Pallas said it create much-needed jobs.
“The expansion of Werribee Open Range Zoo will create jobs in Melbourne’s west boosting the local economy and attracting more tourists — and more tourist dollars — to our great community,” he said.
Construction is expected to begin soon and will create 41 jobs, while 90 long term jobs will created to care for the animals and in customer service.
In a further win for families, the government also announced it had extended its “Kids Free” policy until June next year.
Victorian children aged under 16 can visit Werribee Zoo, Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary for free on weekends and school and public holidays.
To book a visit to the zoo, visit the Zoos Victoria website.
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