Swimming pool and accommodation cabins proposed for NSW zoo

Visitors of the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, New South Wales, could soon be able to swim next to animals if a development application for a swimming pool, events centre and vacation cabins on the site is approved.

The Obley Road development would see five hectares of vacant land transformed. Troppo Architects with landscape architects Urban Initiatives completed the design proposal, which comprises the establishment of a function centre, accommodation cabins, as well as a swimming pool, increased capacity for parking and an internal road.

The proposed Serengeti Function Centre building houses two function rooms, a lobby, and a cafe or restaurant with an outdoor dining space overlooking the pool. The function centre building facade features a corrugated steel roof, rammed earth walls and a metal louvre screen concealing a mechanical roof plant. A substantial portion of the building is glazed, strategically designed to provide views out to a new open range exhibit named Serengeti.

Ten single-storey duplex cabins with interconnecting doors are also included in the plans. The duplex cabins contain four bedrooms and can be used as a single entity or can be separated into 20 cabins with two bedrooms each. The 20 units each have their own bathroom, living area, kitchen and covered outdoor deck. The proposed cabins expand on the existing accommodation options offered by the zoo including glamping, Zoofari Lodge and Savannah Cabins.

Externally, custom shade structures have been proposed to protect informal gathering spaces from excessive sun while a large grass mound overlooks exhibit areas. The swimming pool dubbed Kopje Spring is also elevated to afford views of animals. The pool features shallow sections for children's water play alongside a 1.4-metre deep area suitable for more skilled swimmers.

The development application is now on exhibition until 15 April 2024.