African Safari World
Encyclopedia
African Safari World was a proposed amusement park
and zoo
, to replace the Werribee Open Range Zoo
, 32 kilometres (19.9 mi) southwest of Melbourne
, Australia
. Warner Village Theme Parks
, who already own and operate several properties on the Gold Coast
in Queensland
, was behind the proposal. The park was scheduled to open in 2010. On 1 June 2008 the Victorian government said it had rejected the proposal, because the cost to the taxpayer would have been too great.
The project was estimated to cost A$220 million, was expected to draw 1.3 million visitors each year and add A$864 million to the state's economy over 10 years. 6,700 new construction jobs would be created and the park itself would employ 500 people during operation. It would have been marketed as a location where "animal adventure meets thrills and excitement".
Unfortunately the cost to the Victoria taxpayer was expected to exceed A$100 million. This factor, combined with Werribee Open Range Zoo's refusal caused the plan to be cancelled or indefinitely delayed.
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
and zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
, to replace the Werribee Open Range Zoo
Werribee Open Range Zoo
Werribee Open Range Zoo is an African themed zoo in Werribee, about south-west of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is part of the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board or 'Zoos Victoria' which also includes Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary. It is situated on approximately and is located on...
, 32 kilometres (19.9 mi) southwest of Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Warner Village Theme Parks
Warner Village Theme Parks
Village Roadshow Theme Parks is a collection of divisions of Village Roadshow Limited which operate theme parks and attractions in Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America. Village Roadshow Theme Parks is made up local Australian theme parks as well as Village Roadshow Theme Parks...
, who already own and operate several properties on the Gold Coast
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, was behind the proposal. The park was scheduled to open in 2010. On 1 June 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 occupied 40 hectares (98.8 acre) of land and would include major thrill rides, roller coasters, restaurants and African-themed shops. The attractions would tie in with the existing open range zoo, sharing an African safari theme and the zoo would be redeveloped.The project was estimated to cost A$220 million, was expected to draw 1.3 million visitors each year and add A$864 million to the state's economy over 10 years. 6,700 new construction jobs would be created and the park itself would employ 500 people during operation. It would have been marketed as a location where "animal adventure meets thrills and excitement".
Attractions
Several attractions were proposed including:- Serengeti Safari - An African animal tour. This tour was expected to be a redeveloped Werribee Open Range Zoo which was to feature:
- Habitat and enclosure improvements
- Increased animal numbers
- Wildlife education and conservation centre
- Australian animal experience
- A variety of rides, including water rides and Australia's greatest roller coasterRoller coasterThe roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
- Man-made lakes and mountains
- A Four Dimensional Theatre4-D film4-D film is a marketing term that describes an entertainment presentation system combining a 3-D film with physical effects in the theatre, which occur in synchronization with the film...
Support
Victorian Tourism Minister Tim Holding supported 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."Unfortunately the cost to the Victoria taxpayer was expected to exceed A$100 million. This factor, combined with Werribee Open Range Zoo's refusal caused the plan to be cancelled or indefinitely delayed.