Zoos Victoria Corporate Plan 2012 - 2017_0

2012-2017ZOOS VICTORIA

CORPORATE PLANMAKING THE TRANSFORMATION

TO A ZOO-BASED CONSERVATION ORGANISATION

2 ZOOS VICTORIA CORPORATE PLAN 2012-2017

Foreword from the Chairman 2

An introduction from the CEO 3

Our vision and mission 5

About Zoos Victoria 6

Fighting extinction 8

Our work to date 11

Our people 12

Our animals 13

150 years of fun and conservation Melbourne Zoo 14

Our corporate plan 16

Key performance indicators 18

The action areas to achieve our vision 19

01 Conservation 20

02 Animals 22

03 Visitors 24

04 People 28

05 Financial sustainability 30

Financial estimates 2012-2017 32

CONTENTS


FOREWORD

Progress in the delivery of the vision for Zoos Victoria to be a zoo-based conservation organisation has been significant. As the Chairman I reflect with pride on the way that Zoos Victoria has embraced the challenge to engage visitors in conservation and enable them to take actions that protect wildlife.

Fighting Extinction is an exciting way of understanding the role that zoos can play in conservation by:

+ Holding and breeding endangered species

+ Engaging the community in ways that they can take action to help wildlife.

The key strategy for 2012/13 is to deliver on the plans and commitments that we have made in line with our vision. It is through our actions that we will be judged. The implementation of our Reconciliation Action Plan, our Conservation and Science Plan and our Animal Welfare Code are amongst our most important indicators.

This is a year of very high profile for Zoos Victoria, with the celebrations of 150 years of operation at Melbourne Zoo, and hosting the WAZA Conference. The 150th celebrations have been designed to create a platform to engage the community of Melbourne and expand the influence of Zoos Victoria. The Mali in the City program will enable Melbourne Zoo to expand throughout the City and is a unique way of show-casing a well loved icon.

Memberships have grown substantially to over 112,000 members. Zoo members are critical to our ongoing success and are passionate about our cause. 2012 /13 will see renewed focus on members and engaging them in our conservation mission.

I look forward to the year ahead and the opportunity to consolidate the amazing work of Zoos Victoria. In presenting this plan I acknowledge the Board of Zoos Victoria and the Staff for their ongoing contribution, passion and commitment.

Andrew Fairley Chairman Zoos Victoria

ZOOS VICTORIA CORPORATE PLAN 2012-2017 3

INTRODUCTION

When we set out in 2009 to be the worlds leading zoo-based conservation organisation, I had concerns. How did we hope to compete against the great zoological gardens of the world, San Diego, Wildlife Conservation Society (New York) or London Zoo? I had visited these great institutions and seen the amount of resources and skills that they applied to conservation.

Yet there was a gap. Despite the great work that they all do in the field, none of it was visible in the zoos that they operated. They seemed to have a divide between the operations of the zoos and the conservation and research work. Our vision became clearer; to create a world leading model of the full integration between conservation and zoos. To leave visitors with no doubt that they are not just visiting a great zoo, but that they are supporting conservation outcomes.

In the last year our vision has started to take shape in amazing and wonderful ways. The staff workshops in 2011 threw up literally hundreds of ideas on how Zoos Victoria not only fights extinction but also can share the message with visitors and the wider community. Decals appeared on windows, even my car, phone messages changed, umbrellas, staff t-shirts and enclosures were branded Fighting Extinction. The retail shops have had a conservation make over and are part of our story telling.

But more importantly the substance of our work has been changing.

The commitment to no extinctions on our watch has gained traction. Plans for the 20 most threatened species have been developed. Permits secured and animals brought into the collection. We now hold 15 of the top 20 threatened species. Threatened species have been brought onto display and are acting as ambassadors for their species. Many stakeholders and staff have been introduced to an Eastern Barred Bandicoot. Feral proof fences have been erected around Werribee and Healesville, creating safe havens for future releases. Our talks and presentations have all been enhanced to promote the commitment to fighting extinction. Community conservation campaigns are visible at all three zoos.

The new brand identity reinforces the role of Zoos Victoria and the three great zoos in fighting extinction. The roll out is breathing new life into the graphical elements and will engage visitors and the community in our vision.

It is hard to capture the enormous work and effort that has gone into a year at Zoos Victoria. Each time I pause and consider our vision I am astounded at how far we have come and how much we have achieved. As we celebrate the 150th birthday of Melbourne Zoo we get a chance to see just how much has changed.

In October 2012 over 200 zoo directors from around the world will descend on Melbourne for the WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums) conference. They have heard me speak of our ambitions. I have cajoled others to join our commitment to fighting extinction. I have presented papers calling for zoos to commit to saving at least one local threatened species. I am looking forward to the conference and the opportunity for us to show the zoo world what we mean by zoo-based conservation, I think they will be impressed.

I no longer have concerns. In the space of combining zoos and conservation outcomes we are the world leader.

Jenny Gray CEO Zoos Victoria

VISION & M

ISSION


Our vision

To be the worlds leading zoo-based conservation organisation.

Our mission

To galvanise communities to commit to the conservation of wildlife and wild places by connecting people and wildlife in the following ways:

Opening the door by providing exceptional wildlife encounters that reach beyond the boundaries of our properties;

Leading the way by communicating and demonstrating the role of conservation and research in all we do;

Catalysing action through inspiring experiences that motivate participation leading to conservation and sustainability outcomes.


Our zoos Zoos Victoria is a not for profit, zoo-based conservation organisation, delivering conservation outcomes through the work that we do at our three zoos. We are committed to fighting extinction locally and abroad, prioritising our efforts to saving native species living within our own backyard, as we work hard and fast to ensure that no Victorian terrestrial vertebrate species goes extinct on our watch. We will achieve this by applying our specialised skills in the captive holding and management of threatened species, working closely with partners to ensure success in the wild and utilising our unique position to influence behaviour changes within communities in support of wild populations and habitats.

As an organisation that operates three world-class zoos, we are uniquely placed to inspire the millions of visitors that attend our properties and the wider community to take conservation action and to work with animals that require assistance to survive. The three properties are portals that link community and animals in ways that inspire and engage people. The unique nature of each property allows for a wide range of messages and interactions, while meeting the needs of young families, regional visitors and international tourists.

We raise over 70% of our operating budget through zoo based activities including admissions, commercial sales, corporate sponsorships and philanthropic donations and grants.

Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo is an immersive animal experience that captivates the hearts of all ages and galvanises them to act to protect and enhance the worlds wildlife and wild places. Zoos Victorias aspiration to be the worlds leading zoo-based conservation organisation is reflected in all facets of Melbourne Zoos programs, projects and operations. Drawing on its heritage it provides a unique Melbourne experience that has been valued and cherished for 150 years. Our exhibits and gardens offer diverse and close-up experiences designed to connect visitors with wildlife, to help them better understand the issues facing the animals with which we share our planet. We also provide solutions and actions each visitor can take to help protect the worlds wildlife and wild places.

Healesville Sanctuary

Healesville Sanctuary supports the future for Australian wildlife and culture. At the Sanctuary the wonder of the Australian bush comes alive. We experience the wildlife with which we share this land from many perspectives, including those of Indigenous people. We discover ways of rescuing wildlife and managing habitats. Nowhere else will visitors gain such a rich understanding of the Australian environment, its wildlife and what Australians are doing to conserve it. Interactive experiences and animal encounters are a trade mark of Healesville Sanctuary the Spirits of the Sky, Land of Parrots and Fearsome to Awesome reptile presentation allow up-close engagement with the cryptic and shy wildlife of Australia.

Werribee Open Range Zoo

Werribee Open Range Zoo provides an open range and up close adventure featuring grassland animals of Africa, North America, Asia and Australia. The most popular and unique experience is the safari bus which journeys visitors into the expansive open range grasslands to view mixed herds of large iconic animals such as rhino, giraffe and zebra. Werribee Open Range Zoo is also now well known for its specialty close encounter experiences that allow visitors to feed giraffe, touch a rhino or sleep over at the zoo. The Safari bus tour is complemented by a range of walking trails and keeper talks enabling visitors to view additional animals such as hippos, lions, gorillas, monkeys and meerkats within richly themed landscapes. Werribee Open Range Zoo is the youngest property of Zoos Victoria and although it has enjoyed many changes over its 29 year history, it will continue to grow its capability significantly in the future.

ABOUT ZOOS VICTORIA


Our Statutory Mandate

The Zoological Parks & Gardens Board (ZPGB) operates under the Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995 and has responsibility for the Royal Melbourne Zoological Garden (MZ), Healesville Sanctuary (HS) and Werribee Open Range Zoo (WORZ). The Act, in brief, mandates the organisation to:

+ Conserve, protect, manage and improve the Zoos and their assets;

+ Promote and increase public enjoyment of the Zoos and their assets;

+ Increase public knowledge/awareness of the Zoos through exhibition, publications, educational programs, advisory services and other activities;

+ Carry out and promote zoological research and conservation of wildlife and its natural habitats;

+ Provide consultancy and advice services to public on zoological matters.

Our Minister

Ryan Smith, Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Zoos Victoria is committed to working collaboratively with the Minister for Environment and Climate Change to achieve our vision of becoming the worlds leading zoo-based conservation organisation. We will work with the Minister and his Department to explore solutions for much needed capital upgrades and recurrent funding sustainability, and to deliver improved conservation outcomes and biodiversity gain.

FIghTINg ExTINCTION

In achieving our vision to be the worlds leading zoo-based conservation organisation, Zoos Victoria intends to be the Australian authority on the captive holding and management of native threatened species and the major facilitator of wildlife knowledge leading to conservation action. As a zoo based conservation organisation, Zoos Victoria focuses efforts on two fronts wildlife conservation and community conservation.

Wildlife conservationOur wildlife conservation focuses on providing direct support for threatened animals and habitats. We breed threatened species and reintroduce them to the wild to ensure their survival. We are active partners in eight conservation programs in Australia and we work with six international communities to help save wildlife and the places they live in from Papua New Guinea and South East Asian countries of the Philippines, Malaysia and Cambodia to the African nations of Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Our Australian programs

Much of Australias unique wildlife is under threat from habitat loss, feral animals, landscape fragmentation, disease and, potentially, climate change.

Zoos Victoria plays a key role in the recovery of the following Australian threatened species:

Tasmanian Devil

Eastern Barred Bandicoot

Mountain Pygmy-possum

Leadbeaters Possum

Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby

Orange-bellied Parrot

Helmeted Honeyeater

Regent Honeyeater

Lord Howe Island Stick Insect

Southern Corroboree Frog

Northern Corroboree Frog

Baw Baw Frog

Spotted Tree Frog

Alpine She Oak Skink

Guthega Skink



Our international programs

Zoos Victoria works with local communities, governments and non government organisations to mitigate threats to wildlife, develop sustainable alternative livelihoods, and foster community and government support for conservation. By focusing on a select number of priority programs and developing close in-country partnerships, we ensure that our contributions have a significant effect, achieving sustainable long-term outcomes for biodiversity. Zoos Victoria is involved in the following international conservation programs:

+ Papua New Guinea Protecting biodiversity in the Torricelli Mountains of PNG by developing alternative protein sources, negotiating conservation agreements and studying Critically Endangered tree-kangaroo species.

+ Kenya working with the Melako Community Conservancy in northern Kenya to save wildlife and develop sustainable alternative livelihoods for nomadic pastoralists.

+ Sabah Protecting rainforest along the Kinabatangan River for wildlife in northern Borneo through research, forest management, community engagement and sustainable alternative livelihood development.

+ Democratic Republic of Congo Developing community reserves that protect rainforest habitat for wildlife, improve community health and education, and establish sustainable alternative livelihoods for local communities.

+ Cambodia Studying and protecting two million hectares of wilderness in the Cardamom Mountains one of the most important areas for biodiversity in Asia.

+ Philippines working closely with Philippine agencies and local communities to conserve the most important population of the Critically Endangered Philippines Crocodile.

Community conservationOur community conservation effort aims to inspire the millions of people that visit our properties and the wider community to take conservation action that helps wildlife and wild places across the globe. Saving wildlife doesnt have to be hard. Our campaigns provide visitors with simple actions that make a real difference to wildlife all over the world. From signing petitions and recycling mobile phones to making informed consumer choices we are inspiring people to make a difference.

Our current community conservation campaigns

+ Beads for Wildlife Helping families and wildlife in northern Kenya survive drought by selling beautiful beaded decorations and jewellery in our retail outlets. In 2012/13 we will continue to grow sales and investigate ways for other partners to take on the program. Werribee Open Range Zoo is redeveloping its renowned safari tour to centre on the Beads for Wildlife program.

+ Wipe for Wildlife Encouraging the use of recycled toilet paper to help save the six million trees flushed down our toilets every year. In 2012/13 we will focus on a refreshed message and further integration into on-site experiences using visible, fun behaviour change interpretation.

+ Theyre Calling on You A mobile phone recycling campaign that helps save gorillas in the wild. In 2012/13 we will build corporate involvement, implement visible, fun behaviour change interpretation in Gorilla Rainforest at Melbourne Zoo and expand gorilla interpretation through face to face interpretations at Werribee Open Range Zoo.

+ Dont Palm us Off A campaign that aims to get palm oil labelled on all food products to create a sustainable palm oil industry and help orang-utans in the wild. In 2012/13 we will refresh advocacy focused on certified sustainable palm oil and implement visible, fun behaviour change interpretation at Melbourne Zoo.

+ Seal the Loop Working with Parks Victoria to reduce marine wildlife entanglements by placing bins made from recycled plastic waste into selected fishing locations. We will investigate ways to increase involvement of communities where bins are located and implement visible, fun behaviour change interpretation at Wild Sea.

+ Wash for Wildlife - Engaging visitors on the need to use phosphate free products. In 2012/13 the program will be expanded from Melbourne Zoo and will be a key message in the new Platypus presentation at Healesville Sanctuary.

+ Fighting Extinction Engaging visitors in the need to support Zoos Victoria with a tax deductible donation or by adopting an animal.


ZOOPERMAN AND ThE ExTINCTION FIghTERS

Achieving success as a conservation organisation requires a strong level of engagement by the community in order to reduce the threats to wildlife. Recognising that many of the local species we have committed to save are relatively unknown in the community and that our core audience consists of little fun seeking animal lovers with their conservation caretakers, we have created a series of child friendly characters to assist in driving community interest and emotional connections.

Who is Zooperman?Is it a Helmeted Honeyeater? Is it a Southern Bent-wing Bat? Is it a flying Corroboree frog? NO! Its ZOOPERMAN our real zooper hero, fighting extinction!

Zooperman is the new zooper hero for Zoos Victoria an individual not scared to tackle the big conservation issues. Zooperman is fighting extinction, along with his band of 20 Extinction Fighters (who also happen to be the same 20 priority species that Zoos Victoria has committed to help).

Zooperman is the spokesperson for the entire Fighting Extinction package of Zoos Victoria: six community conservation campaigns, six global programs, twenty native species and many research projects. Zooperman is here to spread the message that everyone can be a zooper-hero and help Zoos Victoria to fight extinction!

Who are the Extinction Fighters?

The Extinction Fighters are a band of twenty incredible Australian native species animals that are found in the south-east corner of Australia and which are all under serious threat!

The Extinction Fighters work alongside Zooperman to spread the word of unsung local species and how everyone can make a difference and fight extinction, just like them!

Although Zooperman often leads the way for Zoos Victoria, he relies heavily upon this incredible band of twenty who look to their natural animal leader, the Leadbeaters Possum! It was the Leadbeaters Possum and her forest fairy magic that allowed each of the animals to use their own special attributes to become super powers...

The team of Extinction Fighters will grow over time, as the recovery populations of these species come into the Zoos Victoria collection and have their profile raised. These little native heroes will allow families and children to build their own stories, pick their favourite local to identify with and love and highlight a unique group of fauna of which many Australians are unaware. Where Zooperman may be better placed to talk more about global programs and campaigns, the Extinction Fighters will be a mighty voice for native fauna and the threats they are facing. They will help the public learn to love their locals and take action to ensure their survival. Everyone can be a hero and help fight species extinction, no matter how small, young, old, furry or slimy you are.


OUR WORk TO DATE2010 to 2012 saw a focus on increased capacity and effectiveness aligned with the strategic intent. Incremental improvements have been achieved across a wide range of operational areas:

+ The organisation developed a number of plans and policies to give effect to the vision:

Conservation Plan

Reconciliation Action Plan

Animal Welfare Code

Occupational Health and Safety Code

Governance Handbook

Code of Conduct

Membership Plan

Foundation Fundraising Plan

Student Learning Framework

+ A new brand identity was developed for Zoos Victoria and the three campuses

+ A capital development business case was completed and submitted for government funding based on campus development plans

+ Donations and pledges of over $6.7 million have been secured towards Safe Haven Appeal, which aims to raise $85 million towards capital improvements over 5 years

+ Role clarity project identified the need to restructure the leadership at each campus and bolster leadership skills

+ Free entry for children was implemented

+ New facilities have been constructed including the vet hospital at WORZ, the Baboon enclosure; the gorilla bachelor facility, new safari station, corporate office and many improvements to visitor facilities

+ Visitors have increased from 1,500,000 (2008/09) to a projected 1,850,000 (2011/12)

+ Members have increased from 72,000 to 112,000

+ Animal Adopters and donors have increased to over 15,000

+ Over 500,000 visitors have been engaged in conservation actions

+ The most endangered Victorian species have been identified and 15 species secured in human care

+ The Fighting Extinction narrative is engaging staff and visitors with the conservation intent of Zoos Victoria.


OUR PEOPLE

Our people

Zoos Victoria employs over 650 people in a range of specialist roles from keeping and curatorial staff, to horticulture, works, marketing, finance, education, conservation, research, retail and visitor experience. We have a diverse workforce of skilled and dedicated people who are our most valued asset.

Our volunteers

Friends of the Zoos Limited is an independent, non-profit organisation established to support Zoos Victoria and wildlife conservation. FOTZ Ltd has been operating for 30 years providing financial and in kind support. More than 700 FOTZ volunteers are active across all Zoos Victoria properties as guides, information officers and general supporters.

Our members

Zoos Victoria has 112,000 members, making us one of the largest member institutions in Victoria. Members enjoy the following benefits:

+ Unlimited free priority entry to Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo for 12 months

+ Reciprocal access to interstate zoos; Taronga Zoo, Perth Zoo, Adelaide Zoo, Western Plains Zoo, Monarto Zoo

+ News, updates and happenings at the three Zoos via e-Newsletters and the quarterly member magazine Zoo News

+ Up to 50% discount on Twilights Concert tickets

+ 15% discount at Zoo Shops

+ 10% discount on selected Wild Encounters and Behind the Scenes experiences

+ Member invitations to select events and activities.

Our visitors

More than 1.85 million people visited our three properties in 2011/12, making us one of Victorias largest paid tourism attractions. We are also one of the largest non-classroom educators in the State, with approximately 160,000 students visiting our three campuses each year.

Visitor snapshot

+ Free entry for children on weekends, public holidays and school holidays was introduced on 1 July 2011

+ Visitor numbers have risen from 1.50 million in 2008/09 to 1.85 million in 2011/12

+ Zoos Victorias visitor base is predominately families with young children

+ Memberships have increased from 72,000 (2009) to 112,000

+ More than 15,000 people have supported our zoo by making an individual donation or by committing to a monthly donation and Adopting an Animal

+ Visitors tend to come from metropolitan Melbourne and stay for 3-4 hours each visit. A typical group size is four people and their main reason for visiting is an outing with family and friends

+ Predominantly our visitors are from Victoria, 80%, with the remainder from interstate and overseas

+ More than 1.6 million people visit our website each year

+ Through our community conservation campaigns, we extend our reach beyond our gates. Over 500,000 have undertaken conservation action since 2009.

Zoos Victoria where our visitors come from

MetropolitanVictoria

RegionalVictoria

Interstate

Overseas

68% 12%

8%12%


OUR ANIMALS

Zoos Victorias total collection includes more than 3,300 animals ranging from popular native Australian animals to rare and threatened species from both here and overseas.

No. of SpecimensAnimal Type 31 Jan 2012

Fish 207

Amphibian 562

Reptile 548

Bird 1217

Mammal 831

Total 3365

Melbourne Zoo animal collection

31 Jan 2012 No. of No. ofAnimal Type Species Specimens

Fish 27 160

Amphibian 17 340

Reptile 72 338

Bird 105 557

Mammal 61 287

Total 282 1682

Healesville Sanctuary animal collection


Fish 6 38

Amphibian 6 212

Reptile 45 169

Bird 79 605

Mammal 61 314

Total 168 1338

Werribee Open Range Zoo animal collection


Fish 4 9

Amphibian 1 10

Reptile 12 41

Bird 7 55

Mammal 31 230

Total 55 345


150 yEARS OF FUN AND CONSERVATION MELBOURNE ZOO

Key activities in 2012

150 Years Melbourne Zoo, the commemorative book has been published to celebrate Melbourne Zoos amazing history. The limited edition hard and soft cover books complete with glossy images, unbelievable anecdotes and a timeline of history through the years will be available in zoo stores in March 2012.

Later in the year, the streets of Melbourne will play host to the Zoos famous character, baby Asian Elephant calf, Mali. The one-of-a-kind public art event, Mali in the City, will feature a herd of 50 artist-designed sculpture Malis that will appear across the city from August to September. Artist David Bromley is the Art Patron of Mali in the City and will be participating in the event by painting two of the Mali sculptures. Following their city experience the herd of Malis will move to Melbourne Zoo for a final farewell, before being auctioned off with proceeds specifically directed to Zoos Victorias Wildlife and Community Conservation programs.

A Mali in my School program will support the Mali in the City program with 60 mini Mali sculptures at schools all around Victoria, to provide awareness of our education message of Fighting Extinction.

During the June/July school holidays Mali in the City will take over the Melbourne Myer Windows. An interactive display showcasing some of our best artist painted Malis will grace the windows and tell our 150th Birthday story.

Federation Square has partnered with Zoos Victoria to present the 150th Conservation Lecture Series. A series of lectures will be held throughout the year at the BMW Edge within Federation Square. Topics have been developed that highlight the breadth and depth of Zoos Victorias conservation and animal care work and provide opportunities for our friends and partners to join in the 150th birthday celebrations.

A public party in October will invite 1,000 families through a competition/ballot to celebrate our special birthday on the lawns of Melbourne Zoo with entertainment and catering. A VIP event in Leopard Lodge will compliment the party with delegates from the WAZA conference invited to take part.

In 2012 Melbourne Zoo will celebrate our 150th birthday. Weve come a long way since our humble beginnings as an Acclimatisation Society. Today we are one of the most established and best known city zoos in the world.


To enhance Melbourne Zoos presence in the city, we will have various outdoor and banner advertising including city flags and hubs, Federation Square visitor centre wrap, freeway banners and City Circle trams. Our 150th celebrations will take over the CBD.

Keeper Kids is a new play-based indoor experience that gives young children and their families the opportunity to discover what its like to work at the Zoo. It will be popular with members and is an important part of the zoos membership growth plan.

Growing Wild is a new precinct that will deliver play-based experiences where the story of animals homes is told through the Ground, Tree and Water zones. It aims to nurture an early love for nature through engaging the hearts and minds of children aged between three and eight years and their families. At the heart of the Precinct is the Story Tree, a mature fig tree that will provide a place to meet animals and share stories. The first stage, the Ground Zone will be launched in late 2012.

Memory Lane/Heart of the Zoo will invite visitors to send us their favourite family images of their visits to the Zoo. Selected images will be transformed into a temporary photographic exhibition along the Zoos Main Drive, transforming the drive into Memory Lane.

A series of concerts will be presented by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Melbourne Zoos Leopard Lodge during the October school holidays, celebrating the Carnival of Animals.

As a partner with the City of Melbourne we will participate in Moomba & NYEs 2012/13. A stall at Moomba within the Childrens Garden will promote our community conservation messages in March, followed by a stall on New Years Eve, celebrating our 150th year.

OUR CORPORATE PLAN

In 2009 Zoos Victoria adopted a new strategic direction that will see the organisation transform into the worlds leading zoo-based conservation organisation. The strategic direction commits Zoos Victoria to embrace a much larger and more active role in conservation.

Zoos Victoria will specialise in the captive holding and management of threatened species and in influencing behaviour changes within communities to support wild populations and their habitats. The transition to a zoo-based conservation organisation positions Zoos Victoria as an important member of the conservation industry. The full impact of our work will be recognised as an integral part of helping save wildlife and wild places, both in Victoria, and in our priority areas of south-eastern Australia, Papua New Guinea, South-east Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

To achieve this vision five action areas have been established to ensure that our commitment to conservation is achieved:

1 Conservation

We will focus and strengthen the conservation efforts of Zoos Victoria to ensure the delivery of tangible conservation outcomes.

2 Animals

We will establish Zoos Victoria as one of the leading organisations for creating net gains in conservation, through ensuring that every species in our collection has conservation relevance.

3 Visitors

We will provide innovative wildlife-based recreation and learning experiences that inspire and facilitate visitors to take conservation actions that make a measurable and positive difference.

4 People

We will support our staffs development to ensure they, and the organisation as a whole, can transform Zoos Victoria into a zoo-based conservation organisation.

5 Financial Sustainability

We will ensure the long-term financial sustainability of all our operations to be able to maintain and improve the value of assets and make meaningful and measurable investment in conservation.



kEy PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Conservation Recognition as a leading Ranking by general public of 2.5% 5% 20% conservation/environmental Victoria relative to other conservation organisation / environmental organisations

Conservation Budget delivering Clear alignment of activities 13% 30% 40% conservation outcomes to wildlife and community conservation outcomes

Conservation Zoos Victoria Carbon equivalent (CO2e) 9012 tonnes 10% reduction 20% reduction Carbon Footprint CO2e* and 90% offset and 80% offset

Animals Alignment of the collection Conservation value of the 10/70 15/70 30/70 with conservation animal collection tracked by objectives the species selection tool

Animals Exemplary standards Avoidable deaths as determined 5 0 0 of animal care by the Animal Welfare Peer Review Commitee

Visitors Total visitor Total of all visitors to the three 1,500,000 1,850,000 1,950,000 numbers properties

Visitors Improved Net Promoter The promoters minus the 49 55 60 Score detractors as measured on the exit survey

Visitors Participation in Number of people influenced 120,000* 200,000 400,000 conservation action to undertake measurable conservation action

People Staff engagement The percentage response of 85% 90% 95% with the strategy good or very good to the statement I am engaged with the vision of Zoos Victoria

People Staff satisfaction The percentage response of 74% 74% 85% good or very good to the statement I am satisfied with my job

People Lost Time Injury Number of lost time injuries 18 12 8

People Injury severity Work cover premium OR $561,746 $340,000 $300,000 Claim costs $929,185 $250,000 $180,000

Financial Average yield per visitor Total revenue $22.84 $27.36 $29.00 Sustainability (excluding government grant) divided by total visitors

Financial Asset maintenance Total spent on maintaining $5,300,000 $4,600,000 $6,000,000 Sustainability assets, plant and equipment

Zoos Victoria will measure performance against the key indicators listed below. The targets for June 2015 indicate an optimistic scenario based on a successful capital bid, resulting in enhanced facilities and improved visitor experiences. The targets plot a journey from 2009 to 2015.

Action Outcome Performance June 2009 June 2013 June 2015 Area Indicator Base

ThE ACTION AREAS TO AChIEVE OUR VISION2012/13



O1 CONSERVATION

We will focus and strengthen the conservation efforts of Zoos Victoria to ensure the delivery of tangible conservation outcomes.Every project, program and operation of Zoos Victoria is aligned to the delivery of conservation outcomes that result in biodiversity gain in the wild. As such, we are taking the core of the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy, integrated conservation, to a new level. Conservation is the core business of the organisation and we manifest this on two fronts wildlife conservation and community conservation that work to conserve threatened species, support direct conservation activities and harness public action behind our conservation effort. We also strive to protect and celebrate the landscapes within our properties that have natural and heritage value, both historic and cultural.

Strengthening these wider conservation actions, we can demonstrate our commitment at home by achieving carbon neutrality by 2012.

Together, these outcomes will generate community recognition of Zoos Victoria as a leading conservation organisation.

In the upcoming year Zoos Victoria is committed to keeping a close eye on Victorias native threatened species, as we work to ensure that no Victorian terrestrial vertebrate species goes extinct on our watch. In honoring this commitment, Zoos Victoria will work with 20 species on the brink of extinction. Those that are not yet within our care will enter our safe haven. Threatened species within our care will be managed to ensure that healthy insurance populations are established that will support our ambitions for release to the wild.

Our Conservation Objectives

1 To have a robust portfolio of conservation programs that:

+ Achieve habitat protection and/or threatened species recovery in the wild.

+ Impact local, regional and international priority projects ensuring that our efforts to fight extinction drive social and environmental gains.

+ Are underpinned by strong science.

+ Are both recognised and valued by our stakeholders and partners.

2 To run successful call-to-action environmental campaigns and programs that are linked to our priority conservation programs and/or those of partners such as the Victorian Government (our tasks for this objective are outlined under Visitors).

3 To ensure staff and Friends of the Zoos volunteers are knowledgeable / supportive and actively engaged in, and advocates of, our conservation programs.

4 To be recognised as a leader in environmental sustainability.

5 To position Zoos Victoria as a leading authority and knowledge centre for the conservation of species and habitat in our chosen programs and targeted regions Australasia, South-east Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Focus areas for 2012/13

+ Progress our Fighting Extinction efforts to ensure that no terrestrial Victorian vertebrate species goes extinct.

+ Increase the alignment of Zoos Victorias animal collection with conservation outcomes.

+ Certify our Environmental Management System to ISO 14001.

+ Extend the impact of Zoos Victorias involvement in international conservation programs through partnerships that trial eco-socio methodology.


Our conservation action plan

The tasks we must undertake What we will do in 2012/13 Leadership to deliver the vision

1.1 Ensure no native Victorian terrestrial vertebrate species goes extinct in the next five years.

Director Wildlife Conservation


WORZ Director

HS Director

+ Establish captive groups of species identified as at risk of extinction, in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

+ Develop translocation plans to support the acquisition of priority Fighting Extinction (FE) species as identified in FE plans.

+ Active participation in Eastern Barred Bandicoot recovery program.

+ Showcase the FE work at HS across the site and in the FE Hub.

1.2 Contribute to global species recovery through holistic international field programs


+ Broaden the scope and effectiveness of our wildlife conservation programs by building the eco-socio capacity of our international partnerships, ensuring that local communities benefit from our field conservation efforts.

+ Develop time-bound measures for each ZV conservation program.

1.3 Conserve existing native habitat and native species on land managed by Zoos Victoria.

HS Director

WORZ Director

Property Directors

+ Implement the Coranderrk Reserve Restoration Plan.

+ Substantially increase the native floral diversity across HS.

+ Implement the Werribee River Management Plan.

+ Identify and manage all threatened fauna and flora species free-ranging on ZV land.

+ Feral eradication within Coranderrk and WORZ.

1.4 Implement research to improve and evaluate the effectiveness of our conservation activities and enhance the quality of animal care and wellbeing.


+ Assess all current and proposed research projects against ZBCO criteria, prioritising research investment against conservation and welfare requirements.

+ Investigate population genetics of the New Holland Mouse to assess need for conservation intervention.

+ Submit at least one proposal for significant external research funding to enhance behavioural fitness outcomes of Eastern Barred Bandicoot breeding program.

1.5 Improve capacity to implement priority research.


+ Develop new collaborations with external researchers in key areas of need.

+ Increase staff capability to participate in research in key areas of need.

1.6 Demonstrate leadership in research and improve knowledge dissemination.

1.7 Demonstrate innovation and leadership in environmental sustainability.



+ Promote our research profile through the publication of four scientific research papers in high quality scientific publications

+ Demonstrate communication through at least three mainstream mediums

+ Maintain ZV Environmental Management System certification to the ISO 14001:2004 standard.

+ Finalise business plan for long-term carbon neutral strategy.

+ Identify at least three resource efficiency projects at ZV properties that reduce ZVs environmental footprint and implement those having a return on investment of three years or less.

+ Integrate Environmental Sustainable Design criteria into all ZV project planning and implementation.

+ Activate Green Procurement Policy through ZV operations.


O2 ANIMALS

We will establish Zoos Victoria as one of the leading organisations for creating net gains in conservation, through ensuring that every species in our collection has conservation relevance.We strive to be a world leader in animal care and wellbeing. Using our species selection and assessment tool we have identified the contribution of our collection to conservation outcomes. We are actively transitioning our animal collection to one that aligns with a zoo-based conservation organisation in which collection animals are active advocates for wildlife conservation.

Consistent with the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy, management of our animal collection reflects species life history parameters and is based on sound knowledge, embracing population management, reproductive biology, genetics, behaviour, physiology, nutrition, veterinary care and husbandry to support a sustainable animal collection. We use our Animal Welfare Code to ensure that the delivery of these objectives provides for the health and wellbeing of the animals in our care.

In the next year we will continue to ensure that our commitment to Zoos Victorias animal collection remains front of mind for all that have the privilege of working with the animals entrusted within our care. We will conduct transparent audits to ensure that we continue to improve and exceed welfare standards, and will increase our investment in welfare-based research to identify areas that require further improvement and innovation.

We work with animals that are able to contribute to conservation outcomes in the following five ways:

+ Recovery Species those species that are part of a threatened species recovery program.

+ Ark Species those species that are under threat of extinction in the wild and are part of regional and international captive breeding programs that are designed to ensure the species survival in captivity.

+ Ambassador Species those species that support conservation messages and have the capacity to harness visitor and community action behind conservation efforts.

+ Enabling Species those species that enable visitors to make connections with animals and create emotional bonds that stimulate learning and positive actions that will help save species.

+ Research Species those species that enable research and knowledge acquisition that support our conservation efforts or improvements in the care and wellbeing of wildlife.

Our Animal Objectives

1 To have a sustainable, managed collection that supports our conservation framework.

2 To deliver worlds best practices in animal husbandry.

3 To build a strong alignment between the visitor experience and life sciences areas of the organisation so that conservation and visitor experience are inextricably linked in collection planning, in operations and in the skills and expertise of the respective staff.

4 To position Zoos Victoria as a respected authority for the welfare and wellbeing of wild animals.


+ Further alignment of the collection with conservation outcomes and increasing the conservation value of the collection.

+ Effective information management.

+ Ensure high standards of animal care and welfare.


Our animal action plan

2.2 Establish leading animal care knowledge bank within Zoos Victoria so that we are constantly able to evolve our management plans in line with worlds best practice.

Property Directors+ Deliver training modules to close skill-gaps and progress animal husbandry within priority areas.

+ Develop husbandry strategies for all priority FE species within our care.

+ Roll-out Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) at ZV.

2.3 Review current and future needs of the Life Sciences Department to ensure there is no compromise in infrastructure to care for animals.

Property Directors


+ Implement all enrichment programs (ensuring that at least every mammalian species has an enrichment program).

+ Review facilities using welfare checklist.

+ Conduct a welfare survey across all areas of ZV life sciences to engage staff and identify areas that require further resource investment.

2.4 Map required skills, undertake a skills audit and then implement a development program to ensure staff have enhanced skills in collection management that meets our conservation and visitor experience objectives.


+ Develop in-house training modules.

2.5 Establish processes that will position Zoos Victoria as a leading authority on care of wild animals.


+ Lead development of regional strategies through industry bodies, e.g. ASMP.

+ Maintain a high level of engagement with Zoos Victorias animal welfare peer review committee to identify areas of practice that require intervention to enhance welfare capacity.

+ Promote Zoos Victorias specialised animal management attributes and commitment to animal welfare targeting relevant stakeholders.

2.1 Programmed review of all species in our collection, and those planned for acquisition, to ensure that they meet Zoos Victorias new conservation and visitor experience objectives.


Property Directors

+ Measure progress towards alignment with conservation goals.

+ Enhance visibility of FE species within our care.

+ Align property collection plans with conservation value.



O3 VISITORS

We will provide innovative wildlife-based recreation and learning experiences that inspire and facilitate visitors to take conservation actions that make a measurable and positive difference.We involve visitors and the community in the important work of protecting the environment and threatened species whether it is during a visit to one of our zoos, or through an interaction on our website, or by learning about our accomplishments through the media.

Using our Connect-Understand-Act model we provide experiences and products that inspire action and drive behaviour change to deliver measurable conservation outcomes, harnessing the power of the millions of people who engage with our zoos to make a genuine difference for wildlife. All visitor touch points reflect our conservation vision and mission while supporting our ongoing financial sustainability. Our conservation focus is apparent in all our offerings from visitor programs, through to our retail and catering products.

We aim that all visitors are aware that visiting our zoos makes a difference for wildlife and will aspire to become life-long members of our zoo family. We will engage visitors in our goal for financial sustainability by attracting financial contributions which leads to greater conservation outcomes.

Our Visitor Objectives

1 To offer superior and inspiring animal based experiences that connect people with wildlife and conservation action and to use the unique habitats and landscapes in our care to inspire environmental action.

2 To offer every visitor a layered, meaningful and fun learning experience using a variety of interpretive approaches to engage all our various audiences.

3 To ensure visitors experience memorable moments and have opportunities to actively participate in conservation action.

4 To enable our staff and volunteers to actively facilitate the delivery of engaging experiences for visitors.

5 To measure and demonstrate our visitors contribution in delivering conservation and sustainability outcomes.


+ Grow membership base as the core contact point, integrate conservation actions, activities and donations into membership interaction.

+ Upgrade facilities and activities to attract ongoing growth in visitation and conservation action.

+ Bring volunteer program in-house.

Our visitor action plan

3.1 Attract

Implement a constantly refreshed and improving program of activity at each campus designed to attract, engage and retain growing numbers of visitors and members.

Implement innovative marketing & communication strategies that will establish our 3 zoos in the minds of the community as ever-changing, must-see venues, where being a visitor or member supports our work Fighting Extinction.

Property Directors

Director Visitor & Community Devel

Property Directors


Property Directors

+ 18 month quarterly visitor experience plan in place at each campus.

+ Multi channel Marketing and Communications plan, including strong social media strategy and community outreach elements.

+ Implement a major integrated on-site program to convert large numbers of visitors to members through all visitor activities and touch points.

+ Implement new website.

+ Investigate and implement methods to improve:

- Online purchase

- Fast, easy admission for pre paid ticketholders.



Our visitor action plan

3.2 Experience

Redevelop the visitor offerings to ensure they provide all visitors with experiences that bring people together to connect with animals in ways that build their understanding and motivate action to save wildlife.

Ensure that all our visitor and community touch points reflect our conservation vision and create strong visitor awareness of, and engagement with, Zoos Victorias role Fighting Extinction.

3.3 Spend

Integrate unique, fun and inspiring revenue generating opportunities into the zoo experience that will generate a growing income stream to support our ongoing improvements and work to fight extinction.

3.4 Act

Implementing community conservation and advocacy campaigns that build our capacity to actively involve the community in our conservation work.

Build a team of staff and volunteers that actively facilitate the delivery of behaviour change programs on-site, off-site and on-line.

Property Directors


Property Directors

Property Directors

Property Directors




Campus Directors


Campus Directors

Maximising connections, building understanding and motivating action:

+ Deliver new exhibits/experiences.

+ Deliver improved facilities and services.

+ Improve alignment of the visitor experience with interests and needs of our primary audience Little fun seeking animal lovers and their conservation caretakers.

+ Implement and embed a holistic range of member specific activities, experiences and events that will increase their sense of belonging to the zoo family (member retention focus).

+ Engage with traditional owners and cultural significance of properties in line with the Reconciliation Action Plan.

+ In all projects and facilities include requirements of the Disability Action Plan.

+ Continue to strengthen alignment of learning programs with our vision.

+ Focus on the growth of the membership

- target of 120,000 members

- explore life-cycle approach and tiered model.

+ Leverage cross sell opportunities for members and visitors of zoo activities, events, donations and retail purchases.

+ Choreograph the visitor journey to integrate retail stores into the zoo experience and improve the number of visitors purchasing retail product.

+ Implement a major integrated on-site program to convert large numbers of visitors to members through visitor activities and touch points.

+ Target Animal Adoptions of 2,500.

+ Explore options to expand commercial and fundraising undertakings.

- Zoo gift card / one off donation gift card

- Zoo branded merchandise

- online retail expansion

- off-site pop stores.

+ Implement a multi-channelled plan for Zooperman and the Extinction Fighters.

+ Implement one overarching on-line community conservation / Fighting Extinction campaign that integrates our campaigns.

+ Expand engagement with Community Conservation campaigns and Fighting Extinction activities.

- on-line channels

- visitor precincts, activities, events and programs

- volunteer program

- membership program.

+ Continuation and improvement of existing CC campaigns:

- They are Calling on You

- Dont Palm Us Off

- Seal the Loop

- Wipe for Wildlife

- Beads for Wildlife

- Wash for Wildlife

- Fighting Extinction with donation call to action

- Act Wild.

+ Volunteers- Integrate volunteer program into Zoos Victoria.



Melbourne Zoo

Campus specific project

New or upgraded exhibits/experiences

Growing Wild, Ground Zone

Heart of the Zoo

Memory Lane

Arboreal Primates exhibit upgrade

Lord Howe Island Stick insect interactive

Gibbon Exhibit

Red Panda exhibit

Butterfly House.

Improved facilities and services

Landscaping of Main Drive precinct

Upgrading of Fire Services

Indigenous Garden

Sculpture

History trail

Wild Dog Caf

Upgrade of sponsorship signage / donor acknowledgement.

Improve alignment of the visitor experience

Mali in the Schools Program

Keeper Kids programs

Growing Wild EC program.

Member specific activitiesImplement a major, fun on-site cross promotional model that channels visitors towards membership

Keeper Kids member program

Implement members welcome program

Member recognition by staff as part of the customer experience training

Member only pricing introduced for all programs and events.

Healesville Sanctuary



Lighthouse project experience

Fighting Extinction Hub

New Platypus presentation arena

Upgrades of the nocturnal house, wallaby walk through, woodlands and wetlands aviaries with more interactive/hand feeds

New Brolga and Cassowary enclosures

Improved showcase for Tasmanian Devils

Hand reared echidna for Magic Moments

Volunteers playing an active hands on role for interactive with visitors stick insects, skinks etc.

Wide scale planting of native plants to achieve greater floral abundance/diversity.


Exclusion of birds exterior/adjacent to cafe

Renewal of Robert Eadie building

Initiate concreting of primary pathway


VISITORSCONT.

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ASK MKTING IF WE CAN USE


Integration of additional cultural aspects to highlight the Coranderrk history and celebrate Aboriginal culture

All walk-through exhibits to have some form of interactive experience

All presentations to be reviewed to ensure they are updated; fun, CUA and the FE messages are achieved

Focus and training across campus on customer experience and the NPS

Car park, entry signage and planting upgrade

New play activity to replace the jumping pillow.

Member specific activities Implement a major, fun on-site cross promotional model that channels visitors towards membership.

Bird watching and animal training courses for member families x 2




Werribee Open Range Zoo



Safari Tours experience and content, including a new fleet of vehicles

Begin staged transformation of the woolshed paddock into the Australian Journey

Complete Arid Exhibit makeover.


Progress the Visitor Entry Precinct Project



Align Australian Journey to fighting extinctions lighthouse project.

Member specific activities Implement a major, fun on-site cross promotional model that channels visitors towards membership.

First trials of new safari bus for members only





O4 PEOPLE

We will support our staffs development to ensure they, and the organisation as a whole, can transform Zoos Victoria into a zoo-based conservation organisation.

Only by investing in, and nurturing the very best skills and qualities of our staff and partners will we be able to fully realise this transformation. Our continued engagement and inclusion of our people will result in strong leadership, further clarity of roles and responsibilities, and meaningful performance plans that align with corporate objectives to which staff willingly commit, ensuring a climate of high morale and achievement. We will seek out and engage with partners who share our vision and work collaboratively with them to achieve mutually agreed conservation outcomes. We will protect and celebrate areas of cultural and Indigenous significance, and value and grow our Indigenous relationships. We are committed to the health and safety of our staff and visitors.

In 2012/13 we will be strengthening our leadership capability at each campus particularly in the delivery of visitor experience programs focused on connect, understand, act which support community conservation. Workforce flexibility required to meet the challenges of free entry for children and the ever changing requirements to achieve worlds best practice for the care of our animals and botanic estates will continue to drive Human Resource programs. Our aspirational goal of achieving a workplace free of lost time injuries will be progressed further through the implementation of sophisticated risk mitigation procedures and incident reporting systems.

Our People Objectives

1 To ensure our vision and values are fully embraced and demonstrated by our staff, stakeholders and partners.

2 To align our work processes with our vision and mission.

3 To enable our staff to demonstrate a high level of capability and wellbeing as a result of the right investment in their professional and personal development.

4 For our staff to be recognised as a team of high performers by the industry, the conservation community and broader community.

5 To ensure that every staff member understands the requirements of their roles and has the capability and motivation to meet performance standards and accountabilities.


+ Organisation Development Continue to engage and motivate all staff for the transformation of Zoos Victoria to the worlds leading zoo based conservation organisation through development programs focused on environment sustainability, conservation action, business skills, and organisational leadership.

+ Occupational Health and Safety Implement sophisticated risk mitigation processes to ensure all staff that are at most risk of injury are properly trained, have and maintain the physical capability of performing their duties and are appropriately managed and appraised in maintaining a safe workplace.

+ Systems and Processes Communicate with and educate all staff to observe and comply with the requirements of our behavioural codes as defined in the revised Code of Conduct and Health and Safety Code.


Our people action plan

4.2 Engage our stakeholders to strengthen relationships and partnerships.

Director Visitor Development

+ Review and update ZV stakeholder database to ensure alignment with organisation priorities.

+ Host one ZV stakeholder event that delivers support and opportunities for priority conservation outcomes.

+ Engage with traditional owners in line with the Reconciliation Action Plan including significant recruitment, training and stakeholder engagement elements.

+ In all projects and facilities include requirements of the Disability Action Plan.

+ Engage with philanthropic stakeholders by:

- High end ZVF comms strategy.

-Host 2 major stakeholder events.

+ Complete Mali in the City sponsorship programme.

4.3 Align our structure to deliver the strategy and improve operational effectiveness.

Director Human Resources and Property Directors

+ Embed structural change at campus level senior management teams particularly for visitor experience and infrastructure delivery.

+ Institute greater workplace flexibility to contain employment costs yet improve job quality and staff satisfaction.

4.4 Align all HR processes & policies to deliver our core directions.

Director Human Resources

+ Continue the rolling three year review of HR policies and procedures ensuring they reflect best practice and legislative obligations.

+ Review recruitment processes to facilitate greater participation and opportunity for the employment of indigenous and other disadvantaged groups.

4.5 Invest in the professional development of our staff.


HS Director

+ Implement a revised suite of workplace behavioural standards through the eZEPPs (performance management system).

+ Continue to develop the leadership group and senior management through skills and experience acquisition particularly in commercial and team business disciplines.

+ Develop a staff training calendar for practical on-site animal husbandry training.

4.1 Entrench the vision and values through-out the organisation.


+ Continue to monitor workplace culture and employee satisfaction through participation in a Pulse climate survey. Results to form the basis of team key improvement areas.

4.6 Nurture the wellbeing of our staff. Director Human Resources

+ Implement the fitness for duty program including monitoring and mitigation of risks in the context of an aging workforce.

+ Promote general health and wellbeing of employees through further external training.

+ Strengthen OH&S policy and procedures compliance to conform with implementation of harmonised national OH&S legislation.

4.7 Entrench high performance in our people.


+ Develop plans and techniques for the formation of high performance teams through application of behavioural and performance improvement tools.

+ Revise and improve appraisal standards and procedures for salary and wages progression.



O5 FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITy

We will ensure the long-term financial sustainability of all our operations to be able to maintain and improve the value of assets and make meaningful and measurable investment in conservation.

It is critical that Zoos Victoria continues as a financially healthy and strong organisation. We actively seek out additional sources of revenue to grow our business. We will do this through increasing visitation, developing new and innovative products, encouraging philanthropy and staying open to expanding our services. We promote efficiency of operations at all times and seek innovative solutions to improve resource efficiency. We strive to maintain assets at acceptable levels. The Zoos Victoria financial model will focus on business unit performance and surpluses are invested to deliver increased conservation gain and infrastructure renewal. The three zoos serve as windows to the conservation work of the organisation.

Philanthropy can provide a base of committed untied funds as well as project specific tied funding that can help grow the capacity of the organisation and build financial sustainability to deliver greater conservation outcomes. The aim is to generate $20M by 2016/17 enabled by an increased investment in fundraising activities and by increasing the proactive support of the Victorian community for the work of Zoos Victoria.

The Government is providing $13.7 million towards the upgrade of Zoos Victoria assets in 2012/13 and 2013/14.

This funding will:

+ Build a new entry display including a rainforest exhibit at Melbourne Zoo, commemorating the zoos 150th year of operations

+ Begin an upgrade of the lion display at Melbourne Zoo

+ Upgrade arrival facilities and procure additional vehicles to cater for increased demand for the safari tour at Werribee Open Range Zoo.

Our Financial Sustainability Objectives

1 To maximise revenue and control expenditure, while driving financial accountability in all areas of our business.

2 To ensure the integrity and viability of our assets in the short and long term.

3 To have innovative, commercial products that are aligned to our core business and that will provide new income streams of substantial recurrent funding.

4 To embed a continuous Business Process Improvement (BPI) culture to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in every element of our operations.

5 To have a successful Foundation that delivers a significant contribution to the organisation to enable investment in conservation work and capital development.

6 To have an extensive and transparent legal compliance and risk management framework.


+ Improve business processes and system integration

+ Develop new Zoo regulations

+ Continue fundraising to meet our 5-Year Plan to raise $20M for asset renewals and maintenance.

+ Promote and create awareness on risk management and good governance.

+ Leverage the 150th anniversary in 2012 to gain widespread financial support.


Our financial sustainability action plan

5.2 Services

Improve business processes and system integration to ensure that information is accurate and timely.

Chief Financial Officer

+ Scan and allow online tracking and approval of all accounts payable invoices.

+ Review the possibility uploading data automatically from the point of sales to the financial system.

+ Implement mapping system and tie it to our asset register for buildings and exhibits.

+ Enable Direct Debit of regular Animal Adoptions donations into ZV bank account.

5.3 Safeguard

Legal compliance, financial and risk management frameworks are well developed and all staff understand their responsibilities.




Property Directors

Director HR


+ Ensure appropriate system in place to review and monitor compliance within the organisation including delegations and procurement.

+ Ensure that all major contracts are vetted and meet Zoos Victoria contract policy.

+ Risk management system review and update yearly.

- BCP plan reviewed and update yearly

- Ensure appropriate system and monitoring and reporting of OH&S risks and activities

- Annual compliance reporting.

5.1 Strategy

Develop new Zoo regulation.

Government funding to support the financial sustainability of the organisation.

Maximise revenue and control expenditure by driving accountability in all areas of our business supported by strong budgeting and controls.

Secure funding to update and improve the assets of the organisation through philanthropy and government sources.




Director Visitor Development


Director Zoo Foundation

+ Current regulation sunset in 2013. Zoos Victoria and DSE will work together ensure new regulation in place by 2013.

+ Align budget process and resources to key corporate initiatives, activities and programs to deliver objectives.

+ Ensure that revenue and costs are monitored regularly to ensure that the Business Plan financial position is met.

+ Develop appropriate business opportunities to yield total per cap spend of $32 to $40 per visitor.

+ Review current procurement practices and driving efficiency and reduce cost by developing Whole of Zoo Procurement Strategy for purchases greater than $50,000.

+ Continue with the 5-Year Strategy (since 2010-11) to attract, retain and grow philanthropy and sponsorship to raise the targeted amount of $20M for key strategic projects.

- Animal Adoptions onsite

- Integrate donations in conservation actions.

The tasks we will undertake What we will do in 2012/13 Leadership over the next five years


FINANCIAL ESTIMATES 2012-2017

Notes:

1 Admission excludes revenue from children on weekends, school holidays and public holidays. Kids Free is funded by the State Government.

2 Net contribution means sales less all costs associated with the activities.

3 Normal Recurrent Government Grant.

4 Kids Free Government Grant 2011-12 to 2014-15 per Treasury 2011-12 Budget Papers No. 2 and 2015-16 to 2016-17 Zoos Victorias assumption that Government will continue with the kids free program and therefore funding.

5 One off funding funded by Department of Sustainability and Environment for asset maintenance and renewals.

6 State Government capital funding of $13.7 million from 2012-13 to 2013-14.

The Zoological Parks and Gardens Boards financials are prepared in accordance with Standing Direction 4.2 of the Financial Management Act 1994, applicable Financial Reporting Directions, Australian accounting standards and other mandatory professional reporting requirements.

Revenue

Admission 1 $18,205 $21,178 $21,944 $23,087 $24,260 $25,270

Membership (Net contribution) 2 $2,875 $3,694 $4,306 $4,625 $4,961 $5,316

Commercial Activities (Net contribution) 2 $3,636 $4,457 $4,615 $4,844 $5,074 $5,255

Others $1,817 $1,986 $1,930 $1,949 $1,970 $1,991

Government Grant 3 $10,686 $10,901 $11,174 $11,454 $11,739 $12,031

Kids Free Government Grant 4 $2,500 $2,600 $2,700 $2,900 $3,000 $3,100

Asset Maintenance & Capital Grant 5, 6 $6,500 $12,765 $9,132 $4,201 $4,273 $0

Total Revenue $46,219 $57,581 $55,801 $53,060 $55,277 $52,963

Expenditure

Wages $28,291 $31,218 $32,330 $33,356 $34,471 $35,624

Others $10,747 $12,142 $12,668 $13,268 $13,915 $14,548

Asset Maintenance & Planning $7,181 $14,221 $10,803 $6,436 $6,891 $2,791

Total Expenditure $46,219 $57,581 $55,801 $53,060 $55,277 $52,963

Net Surplus / (Deficit) $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 Figures in $000 Notes Budget Budget Budget Budget Budget Budget

Melbourne Zoo PO Box 74 Parkville Victoria 3052

Elliott Avenue Parkville Victoria

Tel: 61 3 9285 9300 Fax: 61 3 9285 9330

Healesville Sanctuary PO Box 248 Healesville Victoria 3777

Badger Creek Road Healesville Victoria

Tel: 61 3 5957 2800 Fax: 61 3 5957 2870

Werribee Open Range Zoo PO Box 460 Werribee Victoria 3030

K Road Werribee Victoria

Tel: 61 3 9731 9600 Fax: 61 3 9731 9644

Zoos Victoria PO Box 74 Parkville Victoria 3052

Elliott Avenue Parkville Victoria

Tel: 61 3 9340 2702 Fax: 61 3 9340 2795

Email: [email protected]

ABN 96 913 959 053

www.zoo.org.au

Photography: Gerry Gibson, Dan Harley, Max Deliopoulos, Trent Browning.

Printed on 100% recycled paper.

Documents

Zoos Victoria Corporate Plan 2012 - 2017_0