Werribee to Disneyland » Werribee Open Range Zoo

06-04-2008

dave hancocks will be spewing. this is a serious and potentially very backward step

06-04-2008

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.

06-04-2008

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?

07-04-2008

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

07-04-2008

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.

07-04-2008

oh man, i just read another article on the proposed development and its got me seriously worried...

i'm scared that the best i can hope for is a compromise and not that the idea of canning the entire proposal seems unlikely.

we read all the time about the privatisation of government assets, but now the zoo? the government is essentially going to give our zoo away to a private company. so they can add rollarcoasters and crap and charge us an extra $50 entry?

talk about %@#%ing up werribee park!

sorry trevor long, i don't care what you've done with seaworld or that your an ARAZPA board member - commercialism lines your pockets. thus i can't say i respect anything you propose. stay in queensland. we don't need rollercoasters in our zoos down here..

nor do you need them to rival disneys parks..

07-04-2008

I've just spoken with RSPCA Vict. and they have assured me that they are completely opposed to the idea and will be trying to do something about it. I'm not too optimistic about what effect they would have though. At least Werribee zoo itself have come out against the idea.

07-04-2008

not to fast jay

Theme park gets nod from Werribee Zoo : thewest.com.au

I am open to idea depending on how done, if zoos vic gets to keep control of the zoo, ad the animals, but a theme par adjoins and merges with the zoo, depending how it's done it can only be a ecomic boos to the zoo.

07-04-2008

i sense an zoo-negative "age" article appearing about the commercialisation of conservation brewing.....

07-04-2008

What exactly are the RSPCA concerns about it?

07-04-2008

And so there should be. In my mind it gets worse and worse. I can't support this idea AT ALL. That Melbourne Zoo has now come out in favour of the theme park only decreases my opinion of them. If this goes ahead I am pulling out all my support for Zoos Vioctoria (Which admittadly only amounts to a few hundred dollers a year). The zoos only seem to be concerned about who 'controls' the animals, a sort of possive "It's mine" mentality. They don't appear to be showing any true concern for the welfare of the animals, or the ambiance of the area, let alone their credibilty as a conservation and educational park. I am totally disgusted.

07-04-2008

RSPCA main concern was the welfare of the animals re the noise and disruption. Also they didn't feel that this ideas fits in with a true conservation centre They are not particularly supportive of the zoos in themselves and I suspect that will use it as another way promote their closure. If this goes ahead I will support them in that.

07-04-2008

The RSPCA has no bearing over whether the zoo is contributing to conservation or not, it's not their area. But, I also don't think they have much of a clue when it comes to animal welfare, so I do not trust their judgment on the actual plans of the place. If done correctly then the noise and disruption would be minimal, and in some cases activity is enriching for some species.

The RSPCA has lost all my respect over the years when I cannot get them to act on genuine cruelty cases. So I will take what they say with a grain of salt. However, I do not like the idea of Werribee going down the road of theme park, I hate the commercialisation of organisations as it inevitably results in a conflict somewhere along the line of business and ethics.

07-04-2008

i wanna know what zoopro thinks...

maybe if we say his name 3 times he will appear?

..."zoopro!"

07-04-2008

[quote=glyn;45574]yuck. they are circling Sydney attractions group too.

That deal's already been done. New management team in there already!