Premier Central Coast tourism destination, the Australian Reptile Park, has lodged a Development Application (DA) with Central Coast Council to erect a new exhibits building and upgrade other areas on site.
The DA proposes a new exhibits building comprising of a steel structure, precast concrete walls and an insulated colourbond roof covering an area of 587.35m2 with two 10,000L water storage tanks. The new building will provide two new exhibit areas, a new covered picnic area and toilets. The proposed works include the demolition of the existing picnic area and an upgrade to the existing adjacent children’s play area, as well as a new 4.2 metre access road upgrade at the rear and associated landscape and drainage works. A
ccording to the Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) presented with the DA, the proposed new building is to be located next to the Crocodile Pond, with construction having minimal impact on day to day operations or management. According to the SEE, the upgrade is necessary to continue cultivating and promoting the Reptile Park as a world class tourism destination, and to continue to generate and support tourism on the Central Coast. The SEE concluded that the proposed development should be considered appropriate for the site and locality in that: “It is adequately serviced by existing roads, car parking, utilities and stormwater infrastructure. “The site is zoned to accommodate the proposal. “This is a minor addition/ upgrade to the existing development; and the proposal will generate employment during construction and ongoing increased operations.” The SEE recommended council consent to the proposal.
Document, Jan, 2017 DA51294/2016 Dilon Luke, Journalist