The History of the site known as the Old Croc Park site.
A development consent was issued for a flora and fauna park at 10 Great Western Highway Wentworth Falls by the NSW Land and Environment Court in 1989. This consent has previously been the focus of community attention and has been referred to as a ‘zombie DA’ given it is an old approval that, despite lying dormant for decades, is free to be taken up by the land owner despite it not meeting contemporary expectations around protection of the environment.
What’s happened since 1989?
A new owner of the site sought to expand on the 1989 consent by starting a State Significant Development application process. This was proposal was stopped by the Department of Planning in 2023 when the proponent failed to meet a key deadline.
What is the latest proposal for this site?
The latest proposal consists of the first steps in another State Significant Development process commenced in 2024 and includes:
- A zoo
- A 57 room 5 star hotel
- Recreational facilities, and other facilities
- Underground car parking for 300 vehicles
- Parking for Buses and Coaches
What’s different in this proposal from the previous one?
This proposal wants traffic arrangements that will see all traffic entering and exiting the park as left turn only. Meaning that cars traveling from the east will need to continue to the village and make a uturn to go back! And for cars traveling from the West? They will need to do a uturn in Bulburra to come back to the entrance of the Zoo.
This may mean a much higher volume of buses, coaches, trucks and cars in your street. It may also mean a higher volume of vehicles turning right onto the highway via Tablelands Rd, and left from Old Bathurst Rd and Genevieve Road!
Where can I get a copy of the preliminary proposal?
Links can be found on this page.
