Locational factors

TWPZ Dubbo is locatedont Obley Rd Dubbo NSW. The enterprise occupies a 758.3 ha site to the west of the city of Dubbo in central western NSW. The zoo site is made up of:

• The public domain - zoo circuit

• The specialised sanctuary behind the zoo used for breeding programs

• The Cootha property, used as a plantation site for a variety of plant species used to feed animals onsite

• The Savannah property for future development.

The Zoo is approximately 410km from Sydney, and 400 km from Canberra. (see insert map of NSW showing Dubbo's location).

• Vegetation - across the site, vegetation can be defined into the following categories: Grassy Woodland, Cyprus and Eucalypt Woodland, Open Grasslands, Amenity Horticulture and Pasture Improved Exhibits. The Amenity horticulture is designed to mimic where the animals come from in the wild, as well as recreational spaces for visitors to have picnics in etc. The cultivated areas for the exhibits, or pasture improved areas, are managed to meet the animals requirements. The wooded grasslands and open grasslands across the site, particularly in the sanctuary, are reflective of the natural habitat found around Dubbo.

• Climate - Dubbo has a temperate climate with extremes in summer and winter. Historically, most rainfall fell in summer, however in recent years, this has been altered due to drought and climate change. These extremes in temperature affect the visitation of guests to the zoo. February is usually the hottest month in Dubbo and therefore the quietest in regards to visitation. April, May, September and October tend to be the busiest months as there are school holidays and the temperatures tend to be milder. The animal exhibits have been designed with a variety of engineering solutions in mind to cater for the extremes of temperature and rainfall.

• Water bodies TWPZ Dubbo has several creeks across the site which connect to the artificial lakes throughout the system. The site also has some enclosed water bodies that have to be manually filled, for example the lion exhibit. All water for the site is pumped from the Macquarie River to the zoo's reservoir which is then circulated throughout the site. Water bodies across the site are used for containment of animals (moats)s for, landscaping, for storm water management and to improve visitor perception of exhibits.

Water Supply - The water used on site at WPZ Dubbo is either potable (town water supply) used for the public amenities areas around the zoo, or non potable (river water supply used for irrigation, animal husbandry and water bodies (eg moats for animal containment). The Dubbo area regularly experiences droughts. These drought have a significant g impact on TWPZ Dubbo's operations, therefore the organisation works hard to save and recycle water across the site. TWPZ Dubbo saves water by:

1. having a fully automated irrigation system that predominantly operates overnight and reduces water wastage.

2. the reuse of water for animal husbandry where appropriate, and

3. the use of water saving fixtures across accommodation, amenities, food and beverage and animal husbandry.

Early history of the site

The origins of this world renowned open range zoo date back to 1965 when Sir Edward Hallstrom wrote to the then Deputy Premier, the Hon. P. D Hills, regarding the possible provision of land for a "Living Zoo". By 1968 this idea had been further advanced by the Director of Taronga Zoo, Mr Ronald Strahan. In 1970, under instructions from the NSW Minister for Lands, Mr Strahan began his search for a suitable site for a new "African style game reserve". It was not until 24 November 1972 that the Minister formally announced that the NSW Government would establish Australia's first full-scale open-range zoo on an area of land which had been a World War II Army Camp, 4km south of Dubbo city. The new zoo would provide breeding facilities particularly suited to large plains dwelling animals and to fulfil a need for an open range facility for the display of mainly grazing animals. TWPZ Dubboo opened on the 28th of February 1977 and was the first open range zoo to be constructed in Australia. Open range means walls and fences are replaced by concealed moats which divide animals from visitors. The large site and strategic landscaping of animal enclosure allows the Zoo to display large animals in a more natural setting. Visitors have the ability to walk, drivea ca or ride a bike / carts between exhibitt. This enhances the visitor experience for people with mobility issues. The round circuit is 5km long.

TWPZ Dubbo is located close to the Macquarie River and sits on former farmland approximately 4 km south of Dubbo in western NSW.