Member for Hammond Adrian Pederick welcomes the exciting announcement of the combined State and Federal Government investment of $15.6 million into a major upgrade of the Monarto Zoo.

“This investment will ensure the Monarto Open Range Zoo will continue to attract visitors to the Murraylands Region by providing a state of the art visitor centre”.

The current visitor centre was built in 1997 and is well overdue for an upgrade to keep pace with the ever increasing visitor numbers.

It is anticipated this investment will create 136 jobs during construction and a further 89 ongoing jobs for the region.

This investment is also set to attract a $35 million investment by a private developer to build accommodation at the Zoo. The visitor centre is stage one and the accommodation is stage two.

Mr Pederick said “This collaboration between State and Federal Governments and private investors provides another fantastic opportunity in the Murraylands for a tourist experience”.

Given that visitor numbers at Monarto have increased 20 per cent every year for the last five years a new improved visitor centre will continue to ensure a wonderful experience at Australia’s largest open range Zoo.