African Safari World

African Safari World was a proposed amusement park, to be located near the Werribee Open Range Zoo, 32km southwest of Melbourne, Australia. Village Roadshow theme parks was behind the proposal, suggesting that it could be completed by 2010. On June 1, 2008 the Victorian government said it had rejected the proposal, because the cost to the taxpayer would have been too great.

Proposal

The park would have occupy 40ha of land and would include major thrill rides, roller coasters, restaurants and African-themed shops. The attraction would tie in with the existing open range zoo, sharing an African safari theme and the zoo would be redeveloped.

The project is estimated to cost $220m, is expected to draw 1.3m visitors each year and add $864m to the state's economy over 10 years. 6,700 new jobs would be created and the park itself would employ 500 people. It would be marketed as; "animal adventure meets thrills and excitement".

Victorian Tourism Minister Tim Holding supports the proposal, stating; "From our perspective, this is a very exciting proposal...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."

Attractions

• Serengeti Safari - An African animal tour
• A variety of rides, including water rides and Australia's greatest roller-coaster
• Man-made lakes and mountains
• A Four Dimensional Theatre

Zoo Redevelopment

• Habitat and enclosure improvements
• Increased animal numbers
• Wildlife education and conservation centre
• Australian animal experience

Reception

Obvious questions have been raised over the theme of the attraction, such as: why would anyone come from overseas to Australia to see an African animal safari? Surely it would have been more advantageous to propose an Australian wildlife themed attraction. Many have countered this argument by suggesting that many of the park's visitors will be New Zealanders, Australians from interstate, or day trippers from within Victoria.

Some have questioned the use of non-native fauna in Australia, while others question the welfare of these animals used in the attraction. The Victorian Tourism Minister has stated that the welfare of the resident lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras and other animals was paramount. Others have pointed to the fact Warner Village already has expertise in the welfare of animals from operating it's Sea World park on the Gold Coast.

In addition to animal welfare, many residents are concerned about additional noise generated by the park. Village Roadshow Zoologist Trevor Long has stated; "The entertainment part of the park is done away from all the animals ... It's not in conflict with the messages you're trying to sell about conservation. The other thing is that roller-coasters today can operate with a very, very low noise output. We go through that every day at Sea World."

The location of the proposal has generally been viewed as viable, being 15-20km from Avalon Airport, near the existing open range zoo, right next to the Princess Freeway and close enough to a rail link to Melbourne.

See also

• Werribee Open Range Zoo
• Werribee, Victoria

References

• Skyscraper City Forums
• The Age
• The Age
• The Age
• News.com.au
• Walking Melbourne Forums
• The Australian