Look on the front page of todays herald Sun!!! YUK They want top turn Werribee into a theme park like disneyland with ridwes and everything.
was there i ages, i saw it on tv thismorn, but only discussing it, no images. Nor any online- Its no going to disney land like, but more bush gardens, and animal kingdon. I would like to see an expansion of animal exhibits, but roaller coasters etc- maybe not- dont spoil the natural africaness of the werribee volcanic plans- imagine the africa bus tour- but with a very african mosnter coaster
yea i saw it on news this morn thought kool- new zoo- then saw it was turning weribee i went whoa- then of course news host had to make the joke- 'is the orller coaster going to go through hippo's (laughs) i wonder whoch end u will go in and come out ( more laughs)'
No way. Why ruin a wonderful place for a theme park. Don't they think that a zoo is good enough, that people won't visit unless there are cheap thrills as well? I hope that the RSPCA et al come out against it and I will support them if they do.
i would like to see the zoo expand beyond beleif, but maintain it's volcanic riverland, with out rollacoasters!
man i really don't like john brumby. what i don't get is that the zoo is essentially owned by the victorian public - and thus it sounds as if the idea is to sell it, a public asset, to village roadshow. thus zoos victoria just lost its best zoo. i mean, everyone agrees werribee is one of the best zoos in the country. the whole thing is done really nicely. this development willnot only ruin it, but the entire werribee park precinct. i reckon there will be big protests. village roadshow can piss off and go build it from scratch in queensland where this stuff belongs! the only way i can deal with this is to assume it won't ever happen. if it does, i'll cry....
So which establishment is going to be the first "Disney of Australia"? Werribee or Australia Zoo? What a joke... $220 million and open by 2010? I'd be shocked if construction happened as fast as that.
Zoos Victoria says it will not support a commercial takeover of the zoo. Chairman Andrew Fairley says while he is not against a theme park adjoining the zoo, the zoo itself should remain in public hands. "There is no need for that to include this obligation, or this takeover of the Werribee Open Range Zoo. We think we do it much better," he said. $220m theme park proposed for Werribee Zoo - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
looks like we are all on the same side, the light side! and the money hungry govt sniggers and lures us "come to the dark side... we have cookies- and theme parks'
Here is an email that I have sent to Zoos Victoria dn the State Govt. I agree with Patrick that not only will it ruin Werribee zoo but the whole precinct. The idea just does not fit into the House/Zoo atmosphere. "Though I live in Queensland I visit the Victoria zoos on a regular basis, every time I am in Melbourne. I love zoos and have always supported their efforts in Conservation and Education, including financially. Werribee, in my opinion, is one of the best in the country. Its position on the river provide a beautiful backdrop to its African plains. It has innovative and exciting new exhibits such as the Hippo River and when I read a few days ago that it would be expanding and housing many new animals I was excited. Perhaps the baboons would be moved out of their horrible cage at Melbourne and provided with a great new naturalistic exhibit at Werribee. I was looking forward to see what was going to happen. So you can imagine my horror when I read this morning that Werribee was going to be turned into a Disney style theme Park! What on earth has roller coasters and water rides got to with conservation? Do the zoos really think that the only way to grow visitors is by providing cheap thrills. Visitors will visit not for the animals but for the rides, the animals will become a sideshow. I am incredibly disappointed that Zoos Victoria and the Victorian Government are even considering this idea. If this goes ahead then Zoos Victoria and Werribee will lose all credibility and they really will be all about commercialism as their detractors claim. It makes me rethink my position on the importation of the elephants for instance, perhaps the RSPCA were correct in their claim that the elephants were only brought in for commercial reasons. Werribee could be a world class Open Range Zoo, but if this is the direction that is thought best then Zoos Victoria have lost their way. I hope that this plan never eventuates because if it does I will never visit Werribee again and cancel my financial support for the zoos. I shall also support any organisation that campaigns to close the zoos. Yours Sincerely Jason Allen "
Just saw this news on the tv news hour, looks like the Victorian goverment is very keen on the idea, they also said it will be the "biggest Theme park in Australia", Its name, "African Safrai world"
From that article it says that the zoo will not be a part of the park, rather adjoining it. I'm fairly confident zoos victoria will not handover control to private hands so atleats, to some degree animal welfare will be maintained, except I would be worried about the screaming kids on rollercoasters disturbing what I'd imagine would be a nice place to visit.
to an extent i can accept and rationalise the commercial drive behind a private enterprise/wildlife charity like Australia Zoo. I mean, its QLD after all, when a zoo can make an arena for crocodiles and a TV star you know the popcorn stands and roller coasters arent far behind. but when it comes to a public good like Weribee Zoo, a supposedly scientific/conservation orientated institutioon, such blatant moves towards a recreational faciliy are abhorent. we have all accused zoos of being about recreation more than conservation but if this proposal goes ahead then as far as im concerned its an outrage. and the timing.??? new director one minute, this announcement the next?
Hell no! What a dork is that developper. Sure thing, State Govt. raps that it will bring in jobs and sundry. No way, it sure aint a good thing! If you need any outside support, we will back you up. At least Zoos Victoria rightfully take a stand by communique of chairman Andrew Fairley. "There is no need for that to include this obligation, or this takeover of the Werribee Open Range Zoo. We think we do it much better,". Besides give this $220 mio. - I guess it is public money we are talking about - just to Werribee ORZ itself and it will make their animal exhibits and conservation work even more prominent. It would be a damn sight more useful than this money streaming into the coffers of some quick bug developper and a no need joyride park ...... YUK
I have nothing against a fun park, I enjoy a ride ona rollercoaster every now and hen but the Werribee precinct is just the wrong place for it. And for the zoo to be included is just wrong. I'm hoping that it gets squashed.
