Ipswich City Council is set to improve the visitor experience at Ipswich Nature Centre – South East Queensland’s only free zoo – with a major upgrade of the facility now a step closer.
Council has endorsed a recommendation to award a tender for boardwalk improvements and construction of a new animal welfare facility at the Queens Park venue.
“As one of our city’s most cherished attractions, council is ensuring the Ipswich Nature Centre provides a wonderful experience to its 160,000 yearly visitors,” said Finance and Governance Committee Chair, Councillor Paul Tully.
“Parts of the timber boardwalk will be rebuilt with more durable composite material, ensuring people of all ages and abilities can view the centre’s exhibits.
“We are also improving the centre’s zoological capabilities with a new back-of-house facility supporting animal husbandry and improved biosecurity activities.
“This facility will ensure the centre’s staff can more easily nurture and care for the centre’s beloved animals. The design will also provide a window for the public to get a glimpse at this behind-the-scenes work as it is being undertaken.
“These upgrades will ensure the Ipswich Nature Centre, which opened in 1936, can continue to delight visitors as a place to encounter some of Australia’s most iconic native animals, including snakes, quolls, wallabies, kangaroos, birds, lizards, turtles and dingos.”
Cr Tully said the tender contract would now be finalised with construction to begin in coming weeks and be completed over stages, with some disruptions to public access throughout the year until the expected completion of the project in December.
