❓ Mr. McGrath inquires about capital works at Perth Zoo, prompting the Minister for Environment to detail $12.2 million in funding since 2009, including water management upgrades, solar panel installation, and improvements to exhibits and breeding facilities.
AnsweredQoN 330Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PERTH ZOO — CAPITAL WORKS
330. Mr J.E. McGRATH to the Minister for Environment:
I was walking down Labouchere Road
the other day and I spied the minister outside Perth Zoo. He was there with a
phalanx of television cameras. I thought, ''Hello, hello, hello;
something is going on here.'' I sidled up to the minister. This is a
minister who grew up opposite Perth Zoo. He was making an announcement. I
thought it was such a good announcement that he should share it with Parliament
today.
330. Mr J.E. McGRATH to the Minister for Environment:
I was walking down Labouchere Road
the other day and I spied the minister outside Perth Zoo. He was there with a
phalanx of television cameras. I thought, ''Hello, hello, hello;
something is going on here.'' I sidled up to the minister. This is a
minister who grew up opposite Perth Zoo. He was making an announcement. I
thought it was such a good announcement that he should share it with Parliament
today.
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for South Perth
for the question, which I think was to outline the state government's
capital works program for Perth Zoo. The member referred to Labouchere Road. I
actually lived at 35 Labouchere Road when I was in my young teens, which is
right opposite the Zoo. It was opposite the Perth tennis club at that time. We
cannot have a zoo with a world-class reputation without funding it adequately.
This government recognises this. I would like to outline some of the projects
at Perth Zoo that we have funded since 2009. Since 2009 we have allocated $12.2
million towards capital projects. Last year, the biggest project was an $11.9 million
project to upgrade Perth's integrated water management system. As
members will know, a lot of the exhibits at the Zoo are water based. One of the
important things is to get proper efficiency out of the water, including water
recycling and proper filtration systems. The $11.9 million will go a long way
towards improving the water recycling system at Perth Zoo, and also to improve
energy savings by way of more efficient pumping.
Last year, we provided $1.5 million
towards installing the largest solar panel array in Perth. Stage 1 of that
project was finished in March last year, with 303 panels. Shortly, stage 2,
which has another 448 panels—bringing the total to 751 panels—will
be completed; I look forward to opening that in a few months. The solar panels
will generate about 30 per cent of the Zoo's energy requirements. That
is a great message to the community and a great showcase of sustainable energy
use in Western Australia.
Turning to this year, we have allocated $2.7 million to
upgrade the Perth Zoo entry, to build new playground facilities, to upgrade the
visitor ablution blocks and to provide the elevated visitor boardwalk and the
interpretation at the Sumatran orangutan exhibit. We will also be commencing a
four-year program to upgrade the western swamp tortoise breeding facilities. As
members opposite know, there are only about 200 western swamp tortoises in the
wild, and the Perth Zoo program ensures that we maintain these precious
endangered animals. I was at Perth Zoo this morning. To demonstrate the
importance of the Zoo, it has seven male African painted dogs and six female
African painted dogs. There are only 3 000 left in the world. Seven weeks ago
Mara had her second litter and produced seven pups and I was there this morning
—
Several members interjected.
Mr W.R. MARMION : I
can still smell dog on my coat.
Mr T.R. Buswell :
So can I!
Mr W.R. MARMION :
So can the member for Vasse, despite the breathing of it.
The Zoo attracts 610 000 visitors and this government fully
supports Perth Zoo, as demonstrated by its $12.2 million capital works program.
for the question, which I think was to outline the state government's
capital works program for Perth Zoo. The member referred to Labouchere Road. I
actually lived at 35 Labouchere Road when I was in my young teens, which is
right opposite the Zoo. It was opposite the Perth tennis club at that time. We
cannot have a zoo with a world-class reputation without funding it adequately.
This government recognises this. I would like to outline some of the projects
at Perth Zoo that we have funded since 2009. Since 2009 we have allocated $12.2
million towards capital projects. Last year, the biggest project was an $11.9 million
project to upgrade Perth's integrated water management system. As
members will know, a lot of the exhibits at the Zoo are water based. One of the
important things is to get proper efficiency out of the water, including water
recycling and proper filtration systems. The $11.9 million will go a long way
towards improving the water recycling system at Perth Zoo, and also to improve
energy savings by way of more efficient pumping.
Last year, we provided $1.5 million
towards installing the largest solar panel array in Perth. Stage 1 of that
project was finished in March last year, with 303 panels. Shortly, stage 2,
which has another 448 panels—bringing the total to 751 panels—will
be completed; I look forward to opening that in a few months. The solar panels
will generate about 30 per cent of the Zoo's energy requirements. That
is a great message to the community and a great showcase of sustainable energy
use in Western Australia.
Turning to this year, we have allocated $2.7 million to
upgrade the Perth Zoo entry, to build new playground facilities, to upgrade the
visitor ablution blocks and to provide the elevated visitor boardwalk and the
interpretation at the Sumatran orangutan exhibit. We will also be commencing a
four-year program to upgrade the western swamp tortoise breeding facilities. As
members opposite know, there are only about 200 western swamp tortoises in the
wild, and the Perth Zoo program ensures that we maintain these precious
endangered animals. I was at Perth Zoo this morning. To demonstrate the
importance of the Zoo, it has seven male African painted dogs and six female
African painted dogs. There are only 3 000 left in the world. Seven weeks ago
Mara had her second litter and produced seven pups and I was there this morning
—
Several members interjected.
Mr W.R. MARMION : I
can still smell dog on my coat.
Mr T.R. Buswell :
So can I!
Mr W.R. MARMION :
So can the member for Vasse, despite the breathing of it.
The Zoo attracts 610 000 visitors and this government fully
supports Perth Zoo, as demonstrated by its $12.2 million capital works program.
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