It’s already begun! The first developments (the café and function centre) started in 2021.

The master plan will be realised through government funding, together with private and philanthropic investment or donations.

To kickstart the development, the State Government has invested $21.8 million to build new café and new function facilities and a further $30 million to progress the first major builds. In addition, Perth Zoo has been identified as a recipient of the WA Government’s Resources Community Investment Initiative, which will be a major boost to delivering on Master Plan projects.

Part of developing the master plan included the development of a fundraising strategy which the Zoo. Staged sections of development will be realised through Perth Zoo's capital budget, together with private sector investment and fundraising.

The Zoo has been the beneficiary of a great deal of generosity by Western Australians in the past and we know it holds a special place in people’s hearts. We would love for that support to continue, along with contributions by the State Government.

The master plan design process was led by HASSELL and Iredale Pederson Hook following a competitive tender process.

Iph has worked with Perth Zoo on previous developments including the Australian Bushwalk and most recently the African Lion exhibit.

HASSELL is a leading international design practice with studios in Australia, China, South East Asia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Some of HASSELL’s projects include design of WA Museum Boola Bardip; the Optus Stadium design; design of Adelaide Zoo’s entrance precinct, Giant Panda Forest and South East Asian Rainforest precinct as well as master planning for the Zoo’s Stage II; Asian forest and elephant exhibit planning and design at Taronga Zoo; and Werribee Open Range Zoo design projects.

Initial concepts were released as part of the Zoo’s 120th birthday celebrations in 2018.

At the time the WA community were asked for feedback which could be submitted via the Zoo’s website to help shape the future of Perth Zoo and inform the master plan.

Last year, a round of research focus groups were held with the public to test key elements of the master plan. This involved people who visit the Zoo and those who don’t. People with families as well as those without children. It involved a broad cross section of the community.

The Zoo is a living site that continually changes. We are always looking at what new species would best suit our site in the future.

Choosing what specific animals we have on our site is a very scientific business. Many of our species are at Perth Zoo as part of collective regional or global efforts to conserve them. We also must work within the constraints of not only the physical footprint of our site, with Perth Zoo one of the smallest Australian city zoos, but also animals that are available to us from other regional or international zoos or which are able to be imported under existing Australian import restrictions.

We also need to take into consideration which animals are suitable for Perth’s hot, dry climatic conditions.

You can donate to your future zoo here.

Our focus is to ensure that our urban zoo continues to provide a world-class experience for the people of Western Australia and visitors.

Our Zoo is an urban oasis playing an important education role and place for many of us to escape and reconnect to nature. This has become even more important over the past year.

Green space within suburbia is important and our zoo is central that.