The Gold Coast's David Fleay Wildlife Park set to get a multi-million do

Lifestyle Gold Coast Bulletin

Lifestyle

The Gold Coast's David Fleay Wildlife Park set to get a multi-million dollar upgrade

• by: ANDREW POTTS [email protected] • From: Gold Coast Bulletin • January 10, 2014 7:20AM f 1n• 8+

..,, Nikki Sparks with Mater the Squirrel glider at the David Fleay Wildlife Park. Source: News Limited

A HISTORIC Gold Coast wildlife park is set to undergo a multi-million dollar facelift to in a bid to drastically increase its visitor numbers.

David Fleay Wildlife Park will boast new enclosures, a large-scale amphitheatre, expanded native animal collection and even a pontoon linking the park to Tallebudgera Creek as part of a State Government plan to give the 61-year-old icon a new lease on life.

A draft master plan for the wildlife park has been released for public consultation and includes plans to drastically increase its annual patronage from 17,000 to more than 60,000.

No costs have been determined but the upgrade is expected to cost several million dollars.

~ork could begin as early as the second half of the year.

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.eom.au/li festy le/pets-and-wildl ife/the-gold-coasts-david. .. 16/02/2016 The Gold Coast's David Fleay Wildlife Park set to get a multi-million dollar upgrade I ... Page 2 of 4

David Fleay with an Alpine at Fleays Sanctuary. Pie: SUPPLIED Source: News Limited

Burleigh MP Michael Hart has lobbied for the site's upgrade for more than two years and said the Fleay family had been consulted prior to the master plan's creation

"This work has been a long time coming and will allow the park to focus on its original brief as a research and education facility while also giving tourists and locals a different experience," he said.

"Instead of trying to compete with attractions like Currumbin Sanctuary we are looking to create a complimentary experience which will benefit everyone.

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.eom.au/l ifesty le/pets-and-wi ldlife/the-gold-coasts-david... 16/02/2016 The Gold Coast's David Fleay Wildlife Park set to get a multi-million dollar upgrade I ... Page 3 of 4

David Fleay with Tweedie at his West Burleigh fauna reserve. Pie: File Source: News Limited

"Work has also begun to bring new native animals to the park including dingo pups, wedge tail eagles and perhaps even a ."

Under the plans, new signage would be installed on the major arterial roadways around the Gold Coast directing locals and tourists to the park, while a new koala enclosure and Kangaroo "encounter trail" will be built.

A pontoon and canoe jetty would also be installed on Tallebudgera Creek to allow visitors to arrive by water as well as the potential for kayak tours of the waterway.

The existing crocodile enclosure would be relocated and upgraded.

Submissions have also been made to create new paths through the nearby bushland.

The park was founded in 1952 by naturalist David Fleay for native animals as well as treat the injured.

It has been in government hands for 31 years and has faced financial difficulties in the past five years.

A lack of funding forced the winding down of its animal breeding programs in 2009.

It has found its once bustling visitor numbers drop to just 17,000 a year, compared to Currumbin Sanctuary's 300,000.

Gold Coast Tourism boss Martin Winter said nature-based attractions were a growing industry for the region, with Tourism Australia figures suggesting it represented 13 per cent of the city's total visitors.

"Nature-based tourism is a big deal and there is the expectation from visitors to the Gold Coast that attractions extend beyond beaches and theme parks," he said.

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.eom.au/lifesty le/pets-and-wildlife/the-gold-coasts-david. .. 16/02/2016 The Gold Coast's David Fleay Wildlife Park set to get a multi-million dollar upgrade I ... Page 4 of 4

"It helps create a more rounded and meaningful visit for tourists."

However, despite the grand plans it is unlikely to become a profitable venture in the near future.

"The nature of the site and type of product provided means it is an unrealistic expectation for the business to have the potential to teach a financial break-even position in the short to medium term," the report said.

There are no plans to introduce theme park style rides.

Public consultation ends on February 28. f 1n• g+

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.eom.au/lifestyle/pets-and-wildlife/the-gold-coasts-david... 16/02/2016