Status: Proposed
Expected Opening: N/A
Theme: African Wildlife
Cost: $220 million
Flagship Rides: ‘Australia’s greatest roller coaster.’
Description: African Safari World is a proposed wildlife theme park that would team up with the Werribee Open Range Zoo next door to create a wildlife theme park (think Busch Gardens Africa for a moment). The plan would call for the Open Range Zoo to remain in operation and take care of the wildlife portion of the new park. Meanwhile, Village Roadshow would create a new $220 million theme park that would supposedly have ‘Australia’s greatest roller coaster’ to go along with numerous state-of-the-art attractions. Because the plans are still in the planning stages, little information is available about what these rides might be.
Unfortunately, it may be tougher than it seems to get this park off the ground. Supposedly locals aren’t too pleased with the idea, and several past owners of the Open Range Zoo have called the proposal a circus that would jeopardize the zoo’s future. However, the city of Melbourne is still backing the proposal.
Updates:
6/10/08 – Despite clear displeasure from the locals, it appears as if the proposal still has the governments’ support.
6/3/08 – Locals sign a petition asking the government to reject plan.
5/24/08 – Former directors of the Werribee Open Range Zoo deem the plans a ‘circus.’
4/06/08 – News article breaking the story and offering details about the proposal.
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