Australia Zoo unveils major expansion plans

05.04.2007
FIVE months after losing Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, Australia Zoo this morning announced major expansion plans which will see its staff triple to 1500 people.
The Zoo put on a VIP breakfast to thank hundreds of supporters of the Beerwah tourist attraction for their help in getting them through the pain of the last few months.

An emotional Zoo director Wes Mannion revealed plans for an open-range safari experience like nothing else in the world.

“Steve had a dream to make the zoo the world’s greatest zoological facility,'' Mr Mannion said.
"With the support of the Queensland Government and the Caloundra Council that dream is about to become a reality.
"It will incorporate the landscapes and animals of the world's most famous wildlife and national park areas in Africa, South-East Asia and America.
"Stage one is 35 hectares and when all stages are complete the zoo will encompass over 1000 acres.''

"Our team is set to triple in the next five to 10 years to over 1500.

"It will be a huge economic boost to the local economy and will continue to boost the profile of the incredible Sunshine Coast worldwide.''

The Zoo also announced plans for a new retail shop, Australia Zoo on the Beach on Mooloolaba Esplanade.

In May, Australia Zoo will also start taking bookings for another arm of its business, Australia Zoo Whale Encounters.

A 130-seat catamaran has been purchased and named Steve's Whale One, as suggested by his children Bindi and Robert Irwin.

"Steve had a passion for all wildlife but he had a real soft spot for whales,'' Mr Mannion said.

"He knew whales were so much more important to the world alive, living in our oceans than on a dinner plate.''

Terri, Bindi and Robert were not able to attend the breakfast but thanked supporters from across the Coast via a video message.

"I can’t believe that it is just a year ago that we had this very event, when Steve announced who would be taking over as the next wildlife warrior,'' Terri said.

"Little Bindi got the honour of stepping in to fill dad’s shoes and who could have guessed that in less than five months she would be totally and completely doing that.

"We wanted to carry on the wonderful work he did and now we want to push the zoo forward to meet the goals he set.''

Steve's father Bob Irwin and his sister, Joy, also thanked the zoo's staff and extended family for their support.

Bob said he was particularly delighted to see a new koala research program and the existing crocodile research program in north Queensland being continued, as his son would have wanted. - Mark Furler and Toby Walker