Construction of the $8 million Camp Croc Hunter on the grounds of Australia Zoo remains at a standstill more than a year after the anticipated tourism project was put on hold because of the pandemic.
Groundwork started on the accommodation facility, which is part-funded by the State Government, in November 2019.
The expansion was slated to include 108 sites for a mix of camping, glamping, eco cabins and RVs, plus a cafe, pool and other amenities.
But construction ground to a halt in early 2020 “to allow time for Australia Zoo to manage the devastating effects on their operations from COVID-19”, a spokesperson for the Department of Tourism Innovation and Sport confirmed.
“DTIS has remained in contact with Australia Zoo to recommence the project as soon as possible.”
Australia Zoo was forced to close its gates for 78 days when Australia went into lockdown in March 2020 and Bindi Irwin has revealed on social media it had a devastating economic impact on the world-famous zoo.
The zoo’s animal bills alone cost $80,000 a week, she wrote, and after the summer bushfires the wildlife hospital was the busiest it had ever been treating injured animals.
Originally Camp Crocodile Hunter was meant to open in time for Australia Zoo’s 50th anniversary in mid-2020 (the zoo was founded in June 1970) but no alternative date has been announced.
Camp Croc Hunter was meant to include 108 camping sites which would be a mix of:
- 58 bush camping sites
- 32 powered caravan and RV sites
- 10 glamping tent sites and,
- 8 high-end cabin accommodation
It would also include a café, reception, entertainment and pool area, caretaker quarters and workshop, amenities blocks, covered cooking areas school camp facilities and a mountain bike pump track.
It is being funded through the Queensland Government’s Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund, but no breakdown of the funding split has been officially released although media reported taxpayers’ contribution was about $3 million.
The tourism fund was said to be was the first of its kind in Australia, enabling the State Government to partner with tourism operators to build new attractions.
Then Tourism Minister Kate Jones visited the site in November 2019 to announce the start of construction, saying the project would create more jobs for the Sunshine Coast and promote more tourism spending.
“Australia Zoo expect the project will support up to 33 construction jobs and 43 operational jobs. It will also have a flow-on effect to boost the local tourism industry,” said Ms Jones at the time.
“When the project is fully operational, it’s expected to attract more than 39,000 annual visitors and contribute up to $4.5 million in visitor expenditure a year to the region.”
When the project started in 2019, preparation works were completed such as roadworks, electricity substation upgrade, construction design works and minor earth works.
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At the time of the fanfare Terri Irwin said Camp Croc Hunter would be a great boost for Queensland’s tourism industry.
“Our tourism partnership with the Queensland Government will enable Australia Zoo to employ more people in the Sunshine Coast region, encourage visitors to stay longer, and increase spending within our community which is fantastic for our local economy,” she said.
“’Camp Crocodile Hunter’ will be open in 2020 as part of our Australia Zoo 50th anniversary celebrations.”
Sunshine Coast News contacted Australia Zoo for comment regarding the latest on the project, but the zoo did not respond.
