NOVEMBER 2019
     

Works begin at Australia Zoo

'Fantastic family-friendly place to visit'

'Slap in face' as work begins
on zoo's new campground

Have your say

WORK on a new $8 million 108-site camping area at Australia Zoo in the Sunshine Coast hinterland is underway.

And the news has saddened local caravan parks who complain that Camp Croc Hunter, which will offer everything from tent accommodation to caravan and RV powered sites, will rob them of business.

"This is a slap in the face for us," the owner of one local park, who requested anonymity, told Caravanning News.

Some critics targeted Queensland State Government for pouring $3 million into the project at the world famous Beerwah tourist attraction.

"There is a well appointed caravan park just down the road at Landsborough," one wrote on our Facebook page.

"Shame on council for allowing a multi-million dollar venture to dominate the surrounding small caravan parks and accommodation."

But Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the government was partnering with the private sector to bring forward tourism projects that would create jobs on the Sunshine Coast.

She was on hand as earth moving equipment started groundworks for the footprint of the reception and restaurant areas for the planned camping ground.

"Australia Zoo is an icon. This project, funded in partnership with the zoo, will give tourists an entirely new way to experience Australian wildlife in one of the most beautiful tourism destinations in the world," she said.

Planning work to provide electricity, water and public amenities at a new campground had already been completed.

"In the next few weeks people will start to see more boots on the ground working towards opening this new unique on-site accommodation in 2020," she said.

Australia Zoo director Wes Mannion believed the new campground would be a great boost to jobs on the Sunshine Coast.

"We're really pleased to partner with the Queensland Government on this as part of their Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund because the benefits of this development will be threefold.

"It will employ more people locally, encourage visitors to stay longer and increase spending on the Sunshine Coast.

"We expect the campground to be opening as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations in 2020."

Australia Zoo expects the project will support up to 33 construction jobs and 43 operational ones.

When fully operational the campground is expected to attract more than 39,000 annual visitors and contribute up to $4.5 million in visitor expenditure a year to the region.

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