NSW Government approves plan for new Australian animal precinct at Sydney's Taronga Zoo

The NSW Government has approved the Taronga Conservation Society’s plans for a $16 million revamp of one of Taronga Zoo’s most popular native animal enclosures.

With the Society aiming for the new precinct to enhance its conservation activities and drive visitation, the upgrade works to the Australia Precinct will include a canopy walk from which to view koalas, extensions to the kangaroo and wallaby ‘walkthrough experience’, underwater viewing of platypus and improvements to the nocturnal exhibition.  boost.  is one step closer with the NSW Government giving the project the green light, paving the way for a conservation and visitation boost.

Commenting on the project, NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes stated “Taronga Zoo is one of Australia’s most iconic tourist destinations and this revamp will place greater emphasis on some of our nation’s most iconic animals.

“This development will inject $16 million into the state’s economy and create more than 800 construction jobs while helping to make Taronga Zoo a more attractive tourist destination.”

NSW Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean said Taronga Zoo has been an important part of Sydney Harbour’s landscape and NSW’s critical conservation work since 1916.

Minister Kean added “the Australia Precinct at Taronga is home to some of our Aussie icons including the koala, platypus and bilby.

“The project will see new life breathed into parts of the precinct that are more than 30 years old, improving the visitor experience and encouraging more people to get out and learn about the conservation of our iconic Aussie animals.”   

Works on the precinct upgrade are set to commence in the coming months, with the project expected to be completed by 2023.

Images show concepts for Taronga Zoo's new Australia Precinct. Credit:  Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales/Taronga Conservation Society.