❓ The Minister for Environment responds to a question regarding the $51 million redevelopment of Perth Zoo, highlighting improved visitor experiences, conservation outcomes, and community engagement.
AnsweredQoN 892Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PERTH ZOO — REDEVELOPMENT
892. Mr G. BAKER to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
$51 million redevelopment of Western Australia's iconic Perth Zoo.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how the upgrades to the Perth Zoo will deliver
improved outcomes and experiences and deliver stronger conservation outcomes?
(2) Can the minister advise the
house how this project will support local jobs and businesses in WA?
892. Mr G. BAKER to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
$51 million redevelopment of Western Australia's iconic Perth Zoo.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how the upgrades to the Perth Zoo will deliver
improved outcomes and experiences and deliver stronger conservation outcomes?
(2) Can the minister advise the
house how this project will support local jobs and businesses in WA?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) Thank
you, member for South Perth. Indeed, I can. I think it is good to round-up
question time on some positive news. It points to the good work that the Cook
Labor government is doing. There are good outcomes from our work and policies
in so many facets across the economy and community, and this is one of them. As
the member rightly mentioned, the unique Perth Zoo is iconic and is the pride
of the electorate of the member for South
Perth. It recently celebrated its 125 th birthday. It was appropriate
that stage 1 of our master plan was completed in time for those birthday
celebrations. We opened a brand new function centre, a series of cafe
facilities and the all-abilities playground featuring a giant numbat. It was a great
result.
What has the response of the
community been? I know the member for South Perth's residents are keen
visitors. In the month that that happened, there was a staggering number of
visitors to Perth Zoo. There were 100 000 in
a single month—a record for Perth Zoo. It comes after a financial year
all-time record of in excess of 800 000
visitors to Perth Zoo. It just goes to show that if you invest in public
assets, promote them and do it correctly, people will come. Where are
they coming from? People who visit the Zoo are required or asked to submit
their postcodes. It comes back with some very intriguing and interesting
information about visitation to the Zoo. There will be members here who are
very interested in where Zoo patronage comes from. Of the top 10 local
governments represented in having visitors to the Zoo, number one was Cockburn!
Congratulations, member for Cockburn; Cockburn residents are the greatest
zoo-goers in Western Australia. There are others. Member for Mandurah, the
great folk down in Mandurah love their Zoo! Member for Gosnells, the great folk
of Gosnells love the Zoo. There is lots of visitation from Joondalup, member
for Joondalup. Are members getting the picture here? Visitation is from the
extremities of Perth—it is not from the predicted suburban families,
but it is from people with families in the peri-urban zones. I also include
Armadale and Wanneroo as having residents who are constant visitors to Perth Zoo. This is about investing in deserving
assets to create a return and enjoyment for the community. This Zoo is
not just a great place to go and enjoy, see animals and spend the day —
Mr D.A. Templeman : You can
go there and see possum throwing, can't you?
Mr R.R. WHITBY : Indeed! No
possum was harmed; I have been reliably informed that they are pretty good on
their feet and can take a tough landing.
There
is an important message at the Zoo and its role in conservation; that is part
of the attraction, too. Our Perth Zoo is responsible for breeding
endangered species that are returned to the wild. More and more, the community is very keen on seeing that conservation
role in our Zoo. Part of our master plan involves the creation of a conservation
and science precinct that will give a deep look into the back-of-house
functions—the veterinary role at the
Zoo and the breeding of endangered species. When someone goes to the Zoo, they
will learn more about conservation efforts and the great biodiversity
that we have in Western Australia. As well as it being a wonderful place for locals, the Minister for Tourism will
know that it is another great place to come to and thing to do in Perth.
you, member for South Perth. Indeed, I can. I think it is good to round-up
question time on some positive news. It points to the good work that the Cook
Labor government is doing. There are good outcomes from our work and policies
in so many facets across the economy and community, and this is one of them. As
the member rightly mentioned, the unique Perth Zoo is iconic and is the pride
of the electorate of the member for South
Perth. It recently celebrated its 125 th birthday. It was appropriate
that stage 1 of our master plan was completed in time for those birthday
celebrations. We opened a brand new function centre, a series of cafe
facilities and the all-abilities playground featuring a giant numbat. It was a great
result.
What has the response of the
community been? I know the member for South Perth's residents are keen
visitors. In the month that that happened, there was a staggering number of
visitors to Perth Zoo. There were 100 000 in
a single month—a record for Perth Zoo. It comes after a financial year
all-time record of in excess of 800 000
visitors to Perth Zoo. It just goes to show that if you invest in public
assets, promote them and do it correctly, people will come. Where are
they coming from? People who visit the Zoo are required or asked to submit
their postcodes. It comes back with some very intriguing and interesting
information about visitation to the Zoo. There will be members here who are
very interested in where Zoo patronage comes from. Of the top 10 local
governments represented in having visitors to the Zoo, number one was Cockburn!
Congratulations, member for Cockburn; Cockburn residents are the greatest
zoo-goers in Western Australia. There are others. Member for Mandurah, the
great folk down in Mandurah love their Zoo! Member for Gosnells, the great folk
of Gosnells love the Zoo. There is lots of visitation from Joondalup, member
for Joondalup. Are members getting the picture here? Visitation is from the
extremities of Perth—it is not from the predicted suburban families,
but it is from people with families in the peri-urban zones. I also include
Armadale and Wanneroo as having residents who are constant visitors to Perth Zoo. This is about investing in deserving
assets to create a return and enjoyment for the community. This Zoo is
not just a great place to go and enjoy, see animals and spend the day —
Mr D.A. Templeman : You can
go there and see possum throwing, can't you?
Mr R.R. WHITBY : Indeed! No
possum was harmed; I have been reliably informed that they are pretty good on
their feet and can take a tough landing.
There
is an important message at the Zoo and its role in conservation; that is part
of the attraction, too. Our Perth Zoo is responsible for breeding
endangered species that are returned to the wild. More and more, the community is very keen on seeing that conservation
role in our Zoo. Part of our master plan involves the creation of a conservation
and science precinct that will give a deep look into the back-of-house
functions—the veterinary role at the
Zoo and the breeding of endangered species. When someone goes to the Zoo, they
will learn more about conservation efforts and the great biodiversity
that we have in Western Australia. As well as it being a wonderful place for locals, the Minister for Tourism will
know that it is another great place to come to and thing to do in Perth.
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