MELBOURNE - Plans are being drawn up for a $A220 ($NZ258.7) million adventure safari theme park in Melbourne's outer south-west.
The African Safari Park would generate thousands of jobs and more than one million visitors a year, rivalling the giant theme parks on Queensland's Gold Coast, according to its backer Village Roadshow International Theme Parks and an enthusiastic Victorian government.
Victorian Tourism Minister Tim Holding today left no doubt the government supported the proposal.
From our perspective, this is a very exciting proposal," Mr Holding told reporters.
It's one that we think can bring great benefits, not only to Victorian families who have to fly all the way to Queensland, all the way to the Gold Coast to see world-class theme parks.
We think it's a fantastic proposal, it's one that we want to give very serious consideration to.
The theme park is expected to feature rides including a roller coaster. Wild animals are already on the site at the Werribee Open Range Zoo.
theme park plan melbourne plans being drawn up a nz million adventure safari outer south west african safari would generate thousands jobs more than one million visitors year rivalling giant parks queensland gold coast according backer village
It is expected to generate 6700 jobs during construction and 500 more to operate it.
Mr Holding said the welfare of the resident lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras and other animals was paramount.
He would not rule out the Victorian government kicking in cash for the park.
"We have been concerned for some time that without a theme park here in Victoria, we are losing visitors, potential visitors from interstate and overseas," he said.
Whether a direct financial contribution is required from the state, obviously we need to work through that with Village Roadshow.
Ultimately, we would make a judgment on those sort of questions based around the benefit to Victoria, the economic benefit, the jobs, the investment, the opportunity that can be created from what is a very exciting proposal.
He said Village Roadshow approached the government last year with the proposal.
Zoos Victoria had been briefed on the proposal, but was seeking more information, the minister said.
Completion of the theme park would be dependent on planning approvals, but it could be open by late 2010.
source by (Nzherald)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10502355&ref=rss