SEPTEMBER 2021

Revised plan submitted to council

Australia Zoo rejigs plans for 'croc' camp

By Dennis Amor
  Have your say

THE world-famous Australia Zoo in Queensland has rejigged plans for an $8 million wildlife camp.

Work has already started at the world famous Beerwah tourist attraction, with original plans to feature eight cabins, 32 RV sites, 68 bush camp sites, reception and amenities.

But revised plans for 68 cabins and 40 bush campsites have now been submitted to Sunshine Coast Council.

The newly-designed reception building would feature an ancillary koala and kangaroo enclosure, pool and outdoor area, with easy access to the zoo via a pedestrian link across Irwin Road.

A report from the developers said the revised campground would be consistent with the land use definition of "Nature Based Tourism, which is a consistent and code assessable land use for the site and wider precinct".

It said the facility would continue to maintain a direct link with the zoo and would promote environmental awareness, education and conservation.

FLASHBACK 2019: Former Tourism Minister Kate Jones announces the start of construction alongside Wes Mannion from Australia Zoo (photo: Twitter)

The original development, dubbed Camp Croc Hunter, received council approval in 2016 and angered local caravan parks who complained to Caravanning News that it would rob them of business.

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

Some critics targeted Queensland State Government for pouring $3 million from the Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund into the project.

"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."

It was originally planned to open the campground as part of the zoo's 50th anniversary celebrations in 2020.

The zoo said the camp was expected to attract more than 39,000 annual visitors and contribute up to $4.5 million in tourist expenditure annually to the region.

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