2008 - 2009 Annual Report - Zoos South Australia

CONTENTSYear In ReviewPresident and CEO’s ReportConservation ProgramsAssets and InfrastructureAdelaide Zoo’s New Entranceand Public ForecourtsThe Giant Panda ForestConservation EducationThe AnimalsLiving collectionsThreatened SpeciesOperationsCommunications and PartnershipsVisitor ExperiencesHuman ResourcesFinancial ReportFinalsThe Gateway comprises two new buildings and landscapedforecourts, all of which can be accessed without enteringthe Zoo and payment of an admission fee. These forecourtsare located outside, but wholly within the Zoo’s boundary,enabling queuing areas and public gatherings to occurand providing access for the public to a range of facilitiesand services including a retail shop, café and conservationexhibition centre.The design will see the return of about 2000 square metres ofland formerly located within the Zoo to public use, of whichapproximately half will be publically accessible at all times.The design has two linked public forecourts interwovenbetween both the built and landscaped environments. Thedesign provides linkages to Botanic Park and the RiverTorrens and seeks to remove the distinction between the landowned by DEH, Zoos SA and Adelaide Botanic Gardens. As aresult, people will experience the natural Parkland setting andwill easily move between places. The forecourts will improvepedestrian and cyclist access and allow a better integrationwith the surrounding Parkland networks and transportcorridors. Both passive and active surveillance such aslighting and CCTV will be employed, creating safe and activeplaces for people.This unique proposal by Adelaide Zoo aims to create a publicspace that communicates the aspirations of the Adelaide Zoowith regards to conservation and sustainability. The EntranceGateway forecourts will create a better place for local,interstate and international visitors to enjoy.The planned facelift will end the operational use of theZoo’s heritage-listed front entry. The gate which has hadan important role for almost 130 years will bedecommissioned but will be preserved as an importantrecord of the Zoo’s history.