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pushbutton wrote:True enough, but I shoould point out that according to wikipedia, Dubai had a population of just over HALF a million people in 1995, and then decided to get really serious about promoting tourism as a future source of income for the country.
In 2005 the population was 1.2 million and I'm very sure it has continued to grow substantially since then.
It would help if we too had billions of dollars to burn....
Yes, it would!
However, a large part of it is to do with attitude. I believe a lot more can usually be achieved when there is a strong willingness to do something, and a strong collective belief that it can be done.
There's plenty of private companies who could be enticed into investing heavily in Adelaide, with the right encouragement and infrascructure being provided.
Hindmarsh have updated their website revealing more information on this project:
This project comprises three components delivered over a staged process to ensure the safety of the Zoo inhabitants from intrusion or quarantine issues. The Zoo gateway is the new main public entry to the Zoo over two levels and serviced by a single lift, stairs and ramps. Facilities include admission area, cafe, shop, amenities and convention facilities under the main roof with a stand alone conservation centre and theatrette. The Giant Panda Forest is a purpose built landscaped "Forest" to house the Pandas together with glazed display house with back of house rest areas and facilities for the Pandas.
This project comprises three components delivered over a staged process to ensure the safety of the Zoo inhabitants from intrusion or quarantine issues. The Zoo gateway is the new main public entry to the Zoo over two levels and serviced by a single lift, stairs and ramps. Facilities include admission area, cafe, shop, amenities and convention facilities under the main roof with a stand alone conservation centre and theatrette. The Giant Panda Forest is a purpose built landscaped "Forest" to house the Pandas together with glazed display house with back of house rest areas and facilities for the Pandas.
Photos of the panda exhibit from a couple of weekends ago:
The zoo redevelopment looks really well done, very different from how it used to be about a year ago. There's a few small jobs here and there and need to be completed, otherwise it's nearly complete.
I'm trying to wait until everything is done before I go and have a look, to try and get the complete "new and re-newed" feeling all at once. Would you think a month away from everything finished? 3 months?
the new entrance does look very good. Apart from about 5 sq metres of landscaping and a temp fence around it, its all done. I ride past it all the time and theres always quite a few people. They are still working on upgrading the walking tracks through that part of the Botanic Park still. I must admit, I really dont know why they had to chop down so many of the pines in that creek. I agree with the annmoran for once
Songsting wrote:I'm trying to wait until everything is done before I go and have a look, to try and get the complete "new and re-newed" feeling all at once. Would you think a month away from everything finished? 3 months?
You can get the full effect now. It looks fantastic. A few tid bits to be finished off here and there. Upstairs etc still to open, that is all. Well worth the entrance fee/ or membership cost.
Alexandra Economou From: The Advertiser July 07, 2010 2:07PM
ARCHITECTURE firm Hassell has won five awards for its work at the Adelaide Zoo, including its design of the Giant Panda Forest for pandas Wang Wang and Funi.
For the third year running, Hassell won the Jack McConnell Award for Public Architecture at the Australian Institute of Architects SA Architecture Awards. It won for its work on the recently completed entrance precinct at the zoo.
The zoo entrance project was also recognised with the Rob Dixon Award for Interior Architecture, one for urban design and another for sustainability.
Hassell's Giant Panda Forest won the Architecture Award for Public Architecture.
Hassell managing principal Mariano DeDuonni said winning the Jack McConnell Award was particularly special.
"(He) was central to the foundation and growth of Hassell and this award is the ultimate recognition that we continue to embody his theories and principles today,'' he said. ``With this award comes the acknowledgement that the entrance precinct is one of Adelaide's top civic spaces.''
The $27 million renovation of the Adelaide Zoo was designed to connect it with the surrounding parklands and highlight the organisation's sustainability principles.
The entrance was relocated to the south, linking Plane Tree Drive and the parklands with Frome Rd and the River Torrens. It also offers expansive landscaped forecourts for the public and zoo visitors to enjoy.
Among the sustainable features is rainwater which is harvested and stored in a 160,000 litre underground tank which is used for irrigating the zoo's gardens
Zoos SA master plan: Safari-style accommodation, 'predator experience' proposed for Adelaide and Monarto zoos
Zoos SA will introduce a "predator experience" with overnight safari-style accommodation as well as a gorillas exhibit and treetop monkey runs as part of its plans to transform Adelaide and Monarto zoos over the next 20 years.
The Zoos SA master plan sets out a vision for commercial developments, the first of which would be a world-class adventure nature playground at Adelaide Zoo.
Zoos SA chief executive Elaine Bensted said the initial developments would only go ahead once funding was confirmed to avoid the debt disaster it experienced following the introduction of the giant panda exhibit in 2009.
"We know that the zoo over-extended itself when it went into its last major development and I've given an absolute guarantee that won't be occurring," Ms Bensted said.
"We won't start any of the developments until there's a very clear funding plan for it."
The 20-year plan includes the introduction of several new species including the western lowland gorilla, Sir Lankan leopard and Komodo dragon at Adelaide and Nyala, and maned wolf at Monarto.
There would also be a significant expansion of rhinos at Monarto Zoo.
Ms Bensted said the "predator experience" at Monarto would give visitors the chance to become part of the exhibit.
"People can go into the lion's den and be surrounded by the largest lion pride in Australia," she said.
"Other things Monarto are looking at is the introduction of accommodation, which could be a range of cabin-style accommodation for families as well as luxury safari-style to support safari experiences."
Ms Bensted said while Zoos SA had managed to return its budget to a small but operating surplus, the plan would need additional funds from corporate sponsors and a range of government grants.
"We're very proud of what we deliver already and we want this plan to help us deliver our mission which is to save species from extinction and to connect people with nature," she said.
"We've designed the plan to do both of those things even more effectively."
Zoos SA wants to begin development of the nature's playground and "Aussie icons" precincts in the 2015-2016 financial year when funding plans are finalised.
A series of open days will be held at both Adelaide and Monarto zoos to explain the plan to the public.
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
