New South Wales government has confirmed that Taronga Zoo in Sydney is to undergo an extensive upgrade, costing AUS$16m.

The funding will enable the zoo to be expanding so it can increase and improve conservation efforts and subsequently attract more visitors.

The work will be primarily focused on the Australia Precinct area of the zoo, which is especially popular among visitors. Included in the upgrades will be a koala viewing canopy walk and extensions to the walkthrough experiences in the wallaby and kangaroo habitats. The plans also include an underway viewing area and enhancements to the nocturnal display.

Taronga Zoo has been an important feature of the Sydney Harbour since it opened in 1916. In 2017, the zoo launched luxury eco-accommodation, allowing guests to stay in a Wildlife Retreat and be immersed in a wildlife experience.

Matt Kean, minister for energy and environment, commented: “The project will see new life breathed into parts of the precinct that are more than 30 years old, improving the visitor experience and encouraging more people to get our and learn about conservation of our iconic Aussie animals.

The upgrade work is due to start in forthcoming months and is expected to be complete by 2023.