LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT PLAN

2006

Taronga Zoo was established on the northern shore of Sydney Harbour in 1916. Since that time it has developed into a zoo of world class standing. The Zoological Parks Board of NSW recognised the critical role that the zoo’s landscape plays in providing the visual quality of the zoo and engaged the consultant team of Design 5 – Architects, Geoffrey Britton and Dr Ben Wallace to prepare a Landscape Management Plan to guide the management of the Zoo’s significant heritage landscape.

The Zoo landscape encompasses an incredible complexity of layers, including multiple layers of historic development, biomic subdivision of the site into exhibit areas, both active and passive public recreational spaces, dramatic views out from and across the site, the steep topography and natural landforms that define the site and its character, but also make access difficult, significant areas of remnant indigenous vegetation and a highly significant collection of introduced ornamental vegetation.

The consultant team worked closely with Zoo staff and stakeholders to provide a document that not only assessed the significant elements and values of the zoo landscape, but also responded directly to the identified needs of the people who would be using the document as a practical management tool. The report also responded to the legislative requirements governing development on the site and the physical needs of providing water to the extensive rainforest areas on the site in a naturally dry landscape.