By Megan Gorrey
The cost to build a cable car proposed to run between Sydney Harbour and the entrance to Taronga Zoo has ballooned to $105 million – about $28 million more than the amount first budgeted for the divisive project.
Taronga Conservation Society has submitted revised plans for a new “Sky Safari” tourist attraction to replace the zoo’s original cable car, which was built in 1987, upgraded in 2000 and retired in 2023.
The revised design for the lower station of Taronga Zoo’s proposed Sky Safari on Sydney’s lower north shore.
The Mosman zoo said the replacement for the old Sky Safari, which transported 20 million visitors from 1987 to 2023, would make the steep bushland site at Bradleys Head more accessible.
But local opponents have criticised the proposal as too tall and bulky, with one branding it as “Sydney’s next eyesore”.
“It will likely be baffling to international visitors, who expect a world-class harbour, to see what resembles a ski-lift built on its slopes,” said Linda Bergin, an advocate for Sydney’s public parkland.
Taronga last year submitted a “state significant” development application for an overhaul of the cable car system. It proposed the construction of two new stations at the upper and lower entrances to the zoo, connected by six pylons topping 36.5 metres. The 916-metre system would feature 20 to 25 gondolas and follow the existing route.
The project was initially estimated to cost $77 million.
But state budget papers this week revealed the NSW government has estimated the total cost to complete the proposed project in 2028 at $105,625,000, $13 million of which has already been spent. About $27.5 million has been allocated in the 2025-26 financial year.
A Taronga Zoo spokeswoman said the $105 million budgeted to deliver the upgraded Sky Safari included a state government grant, as well as a contribution from the zoo’s operating reserves. She said no donations to the Taronga Foundation had been, or would be, spent on the project.
“Capital development cost escalation has been experienced nationwide since the funding was allocated in 2021,” the spokeswoman said.
Earlier plans showed the proposed cable car system, which features pylons as tall as 36.5 metres on the headland.Credit:
She said Taronga, which is a statutory authority administered by the government, had consulted the community and modified both the design and route of the cable car from the initial business case.
“The upgraded Sky Safari is an essential asset to create accessible transport across our beautiful site, as well as being a critical experience supporting NSW’s visitor economy.
“[It] will have larger gondolas to enable visitors with prams, motorised wheelchairs and those requiring mobility support to experience animals from a different perspective.”
The spokeswoman said the zoo anticipated the proposal would be decided by Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully later this year, enabling construction works to commence in early 2026.
Tourism groups support the new cable car system, which Taronga says will make the zoo more easily accessible. Credit: Janie Barrett
Submissions on the proposal last year cited concerns about the height of the pylons, night-time lighting arrangements, tree removal, construction disruption and advertising on the gondolas.
Taronga’s response to submissions and an amendment report, published in May, detailed minor design changes to the stations but noted there would be no change to the height of the six pylons.
“The proposed height of the pylons reflects Taronga’s commitment to preserve the existing tree canopy, including avoiding the need to cut through heritage-significant hoop pines. This also allows for canopy growth across the coming decades,” the zoo’s spokeswoman said in a statement.
Nearby resident Cathy Scott said the zoo’s response to the submissions and report seemed to indicate “this ‘proposal’ is a fait accompli”.
“The Sky Safari, being of such width and height, will be a huge scar visible to those residing on the harbour foreshores and those visiting for recreational and other purposes,” Scott’s submission said.
Bergin noted the old cable car had nine pylons and was lower to the ground, whereas two of the new proposed pylons would soar to nearly 40 metres. She said the structures would be visible from “far and wide”, including from the Opera House, and would “have a major impact on the heritage values of Sydney Harbour”.
“There is no doubt the proposed ‘revitalised’ Sky Safari will solve the patron congestion problem, but its design will significantly disfigure Bradleys Head,” she said.
“The harbour is Sydney’s greatest asset … It should not be sacrificed for a tourist attraction.”
Mosman Council has broadly supported the proposal, which has been strongly backed by Destination NSW, Tourism Australia and Captain Cook Cruises.
Among those who lodged objections are the Mosman Parks and Bushland Association and Sydney Zoo, which previously argued the upgraded attraction could give Taronga a competitive advantage.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.