Mark Coulton (Parkes, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would just like to pause in the class warfare now to talk about some good news. I would like to congratulate the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo for winning the unique accommodation category in the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards gala ceremony held in Melbourne on Friday night. This award acknowledges the incredible efforts of everyone at the zoo in operating overnight experiences to a global standard.

The zoo has undergone some significant changes over the past three years, including the creation of Billabong Camp, the redevelopment of the Zoofari Lodge and the opening of self-contained accommodation at the Savannah Cabins.    All of these changes have helped contribute to the zoo providing visitors with unique opportunities to wake up in the wild.

I would recommend anyone to go to Dubbo. They can camp at the zoo. It is a world-class facility not only in the magnificent city in the Dubbo but in that you can wake up in the wild surrounded by wild animals and have an experience that is unique.

I would like to acknowledge Matthew Fuller, who has been with the zoo for over eight years, and the fantastic contribution he has made over this time. I would also like to acknowledge the zoo and its staff for the passion they have for making Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo a world-class tourism attraction.