Blue Mountains zoo plans cause community concern

By Makayla Muscat

A controversial zoo and hotel development at the old ‘Croc Park’ site near Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains has residents extremely concerned.

“People don’t come here to see animals locked up in cages. People come here to experience our awe-inspiring natural environment and how it sustains our wildlife in their natural habitat,” says Blue Mountains Labor Councillor Romola Hollywood.

According to the Blue Mountains Conservation Society, highway traffic and animal welfare are major concerns of the proposal to build a hotel, multi-storey carpark, zoo, theatre, vet clinic and café on Bodington Hill between Bullaburra and Wentworth Falls. 

Council is concerned about the appropriateness of the site for the proposed development. Picture: Makayla Muscat

A planner from Cityscape Planning and Projects, on behalf of the Blue Mountains Wildlife Trust told the Daily Telegraph in March that the project “presents a unique opportunity to complement and grow that tourism sector,” and increase local employment. Despite this, some residents are alarmed by the project’s development.

Blue Mountains City Councils’ Local Environment Plan (2015) seeks to protect the land between towns to maintain the visual and environmental connections with the World Heritage Area. Council share the concerns of residents. “I am horrified by the proposal to locate a zoo and hotel at the foot of Bodington Hill, which is recognised as the natural gateway to the Upper Mountains,” says Councillor Hollywood.

Wildlife Park plans proposed for Bodington Hill. Picture: Daily Telegraph

In a city council media release, it was announced that the proposal will be treated as a State Significant Development (SSD), meaning it will not need to comply with local planning frameworks. According to Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill, this jeopardises the area as a World Heritage Area and its unique way of life. “The SSD process allows inappropriate proposals to bypass our carefully calibrated local planning frameworks,” he says.

Councillor Hollywood fears the proposed development will be an eye-sore that will cause untold environmental damage. “This development threatens the character of the Blue Mountains,” she says.

Council has made a submission to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment outlining the concerns they believe must be addressed during the assessment process.

To see the proposal, visit the NSW Planning Portal website.