John Burgess, managing director of Sydney Zoo and founder of Sydney Aquarium, has announced plans for an AU$36m (US$25m, €22.3m, £16.3m) second zoo in Sydney, with the new facility set for the city’s western suburbs after securing funding for the development through private fundraising.

Working in partnership with Allen Partners and Sturt Capital Partners, Burgess will develop the plans initially unveiled by NSW premier Mike Baird in March.

ASPECT Studios are in charge of landscape architecture, while MISHO+Associates are masterplanning the site with contributions from urban developer JBA, engineering consultancy from Lindsay Dynan and Evolve Engineering, transport consultancy from GTA and conceptual images have been produced by Off the Cuffe.

Estimates suggest around 745,000 will visit the zoo each year, which if approved will open in 2017. The plans include elevated walkways through an African grasslands exhibit, underwater glass viewing areas and reptile and nocturnal animal houses. The zoo will also run an animal breeding program for endangered species including Asian elephants, lowland gorillas and tigers.

Burgess, who sold his company Sydney Attractions to Village Roadshow for AU$141m (US$97.6m, €87.4m, £63.9m) in 2008, will head up the new zoo as managing director. The proposal in the in the Western Sydney Parklands at Bungarribee, covers 165,000sq m (40.7 acres) and could house up to 500 animals in luxury, according to Burgess.

“The animals are the rockstars of the zoo,” said Burgess. “As such they will receive world-class care with extra large enclosures and animal experts on site.”

According to Australia’s environment minister Mark Speakman, the zoo will boost Sydney’s economy by AU$45m (US$31.5m, €27.9m, £20.3m) annually with 12o full-time jobs created. Burgess and company are now preparing a State Significant Development Application, which will be lodged with the state government and placed on public exhibition later this year.

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