Image: Taronga Zoo
Plans to install a new $105 million cable car attraction at Taronga Zoo has sparked backlash, as residents believe it will disturb the harbour views and surrounding home owners.
The NSW Department of Planning has now approved the project, confirming that the new attraction will replace the retired Sky Safari after its closure in 2023.
After two years of planning, the project will consist of six pylons that stand 36.5 meters tall, connecting Sydney Harbour to the entrance of Taronga Zoo through a cable car system.
The project is set to generate approximately $5.7 million in economic profit each year, according to the project’s planning documents. Assisting the financial security of the business, the project will allow for the continuation of conservational and educational projects that the zoo funds.
A Taronga Zoo spokesperson told City Hub, “After more than 35 years in operation, the Sky Safari has been a much-loved part of the Taronga Zoo experience and has been greatly missed since it retired in 2023. We’re pleased to be one step closer to returning this experience to our guests and ensuring Taronga Zoo remains an accessible, family friendly destination for decades to come.”
Supporting the project, Destination NSW chief executive officer Steve Cox, expressed their appreciation of the project stating that “The Sky Safari has been an integral part of the Taronga experience for local and international visitors alike. The intention to integrate the upgraded Sky Safari with the recently renewed Taronga Zoo Ferry Wharf will be an experience unlike any other that Sydney has to offer and will be on that visitors across Australia and the globe will be keen on.”
Opposing submissions say Taronga obstructed harbour views
Within the project’s two year proposal, it endured various submissions of support and opposition. Those of which fundamentally changed the original proposal of the project that allowed for major changes to be implemented.
Opponents of the project claim that the structure would obscure harbour views and delegate large crowds towards surrounding homes causing increased pedestrian traffic and disturbances.
With a large anticipated success, the project is expected to surpass the pre-existing cable networks success of 20 million visitors per year.
The Mosman Parks and Bushland Association’s president, Kate Eccles, believes that the project will destroy the cityscape through the disturbance to the environment.
“This new Sky Safari will soar to the height of a 10 storey building. Added to the height is the visual impact of moving cable cars. This is at the expense of our harbour and we should be doing everything possible to protect its world reputation. Its headlands and islands remain relatively untouched and show the landscape as it has been for thousands of years,” Eccles told City Hub.
Further objections were made by Taronga Zoo’s competing rival, Sydney Zoo, who also complained about the integrity of the project to the Department of Planning.
Within a project inquiry, Sydney Zoo’s managing director Jake Burgess questioned whether the government funded project would give Taronga Zoo a competitive advantage.
Writing that “It is clear that the proposed development is designed to improve the competitive advantage of Taronga’s overall customer experience as opposed to improving animal conservation outcomes in direct competition with Sydney Zoo for patronage,” Burgess stated in the inquiry.
What does this mean?
Combating opposition throughout the project, Taronga Zoo’s project has undergone significant design changes aiming to minimise its visual impact.
Within the View Impact Assessment from a Mosman Council report , Taronga stated that “The proposal has been subject to a comprehensive and detailed design process, including multiple State Design Review Panel sessions, with considerable reductions being made to its original scope to reduce visual impact.”
Margy Osmond, chief executive of Tourism and Transport Forum, believes that “Taronga continues to be a champion for conservation through its partnerships with global organisations, and within its own site. As more guests will likely take advantage of the journey across the Sydney Harbour via ferry before connecting to the Sky Safari, this has the strong potential to reduce reliance on the use of private cars on local
Mosman roads and the production of carbon emissions, complementing Taronga’s Net Zero by 2030 commitment.”
“Taronga is committed to caring for both its animals and the natural environment. As part of the development application, consideration was given to potential environmental impacts including a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report which sets out a number of steps to be taken before, during and post construction,” a Taronga Zoo spokesperson told City Hub.
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