Zoodoo Zoo application to extend operating hours for night time tours up for refusal at Brighton Council

A popular tourist attraction wants to extend its operating hours to run nocturnal tours, but it’s facing opposition from neighbours concerned about tourists becoming lost in the dark.

Former Zoodoo director Trevor Cuttriss with daughter and new director Donna Cuttriss-Smith at the Brighton site. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

A POPULAR tourist operation near Hobart wants to run twilight tours, but faces a significant hurdle with the council recommending its application to extend its trading hours be refused.

Zoodoo Zoo has applied to the Brighton Council to increase its operating hours from 9am-5pm daily to 9am-9pm Monday to Saturday to run nocturnal tours and a twilight zoo. At its meeting tonight, the application has been recommended for refusal by council officers.

The family-run animal park on Middle Tea Tree Rd near Richmond had proposed a 12-month trial of two new experiences.

A twilight zoo would operate from October to April, providing visitors with an alternative experience of the zoo in a guided walking tour, capped at 30 people.

A ‘Park in the Dark’ experience would operate from May to September, providing visitors with education and appreciation of Tasmania’s nocturnal species, in a private walking tour.

In its application to council, the business said it would be “mindful not to disturb the peaceful lifestyle of our neighbours” and no additional lighting would be required or loud speakers used.

MARCH 2019: Zoo Doo near Richmond has welcomed the arrival of a new Zebra called 'Duke'. He was born on Saturday a the park and mother, 'Duchess' and baby are both doing well. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

The application received one representation against it, seemingly from a neighbour of the property, which raised concerns about people arriving in the dark.

“On a daily basis, lost tourists are redirected that end up at adjoining properties because the driveways are so close together,” the representer said.

“If they can’t read the direction signs during the day, how many cars are going to end up at these adjoining properties late at night?

“This is a current disturbance to the enjoyment of privacy and the extensions of hours would escalate this.”

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The proposal has been recommended for refusal on the basis it has the potential “to create a detrimental impact on adjoining properties, which include residential uses”.

“This potential impact would largely be created through visitation to the site by up to 30 guests out of ordinary business hours, creating a potential for environmental nuisance, generated broadly by noise impacts and vehicle movements of the guests,” the council report states. Zoodoo director Donna Cuttriss said the proposed experiences would be offered for a maximum of four days per week.

“We are hopeful that after council considers additional supporting information, the economic advantages for the area by way of increased visitation and employment will outweigh other concerns caused by granting a minor discretionary exemption for a 12-month trial period,” Ms Cuttriss said.