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Dear Members and Supporters A revised plan for the Taronga Zoo Sky Safari development was put on public exhibition on 14 May 2025 on the NSW Planning portal website, here > Whilst acknowledging that a new accessible gondola service is essential for internal Zoo traffic, HPG objects to the scale and unnecessary height of the proposed Sky Safari, as well as its impact on the natural and environmental values of the headland. As HPG argued during the last consultation, the visual impact of the proposed Sky Safari will be enormous. The structure will tower over the bushland canopy, reaching a maximum height of 36.5 metres (equal to a 10-storey building). It will feature 25 larger cabins which will constantly move along the cable from sunrise into the night 7 days a week. Taronga Zoo made some revisions to the plan after the last public consultation, including new construction requirements, which has resulted in a further visual impacts. Here is a quick summary of the main points of concern: This major development is progressing at a rapid pace, and HPG is concerned that the impacts and alternatives have not been fully considered. It is not being assessed in the wider context of the beauty and amenity of Sydney Harbour and its foreshore. The visual impact of the new Sky Safari from outside the Zoo has been underestimated. It will significantly affect neighbouring Mosman and Cremorne, anyone boating or riding ferries on the Harbour, major landmarks such as the Opera House and suburbs on the southern shore. The development will require the removal of 13 important trees and place a further 100 important trees in danger. Whilst the Zoo will undertake additional plantings, these trees are irreplaceable. In addition, the new Lower Station entrance has increased significantly in size, with a reconfigured ramp requiring the removal of 55 more trees on the south-western side. Three pylons have increased in height with additional support structures to the pylons; however downplayed, this will have a visual impact. The clearance width required for the cable car route has increased, with no replacement planting, resulting in a greater visual impact. The impact at night is important. Increased illumination from the Lower Station and 20-25 moving cabins during extended hours will impact and urbanise the dark natural headland. The Sky Safari will be marketed as a tourist viewpoint of Sydney and beyond, resulting in longer hours of operation (in some cases 5 am to 12 am) and increased traffic to the already-congested Mosman streets.
HPG is also concerned that the plan is misleading to the public, as none of the artist’s impressions showing the visual impact of the structure include the 20-25 cabins. These would travel approximately 40 metres apart, with 10-12 up and 10-12 down at any one time. HPG will meet with Taronga Zoo personnel and subsequently make a submission, reiterating our objection to the height of the Sky Safari and voicing new concerns arising from the changes in the amended plan. We encourage you to make a personal submission via the Planning Portal. Please note that to make a submission, you will need to register for a NSW planning Portal account, follow the links on this page > We would welcome receiving a copy of your submission – savemiddlehead@gmail.com and suggest you also send a copy to Felicity Wilson MP, Member for North Shore – northshore@parliament.nsw.gov.au, and also Anne-Marie Kimber, Mayor of Mosman – mayor@mosman.nsw.gov.au.
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