Inspection of Old Pearl Coast Zoo in Broome

Planning Minister David Smith today inspected the Old Pearl Coast Zoo which the Broome Shire Council is considering rezoning.

Mr Smith said he was familiarising himself with the area.

"At this stage, I remain open-minded on the issue and will certainly not be passing any judgements," Mr Smith said.

"The rezoning issue is in the hands of the local community and the council."

Mr Smith said the lots were allocated to Lord McAlpine, initially as special leases with freehold conversion available subject to satisfactory development and payment of purchase price.

"The further land bought was for extensions to the zoo," he said.

"Prices for the lots were established by the Valuer General."

Mr Smith said Lord McAlpine had paid a total of $730,000 for freehold leases on 51.6 hectares.

"The owner is now simply exercising his normal rights as a citizen to apply to council and the Department of Planning and Urban Development to be allowed to use the land for an alternate purpose.

"Lord McAlpine will not be given any favours but he is also entitled to receive the same fair consideration that any other citizen would receive.

"The rezoning application is now with DPUD which is likely to seek approval to advertise."

Mr Smith said the community would then be consulted and would make submissions to council and himself.

"The council will decide what to do on the basis of the submissions.

"If they want to press ahead, a report with submissions will go before the State Planning Commission."

Mr Smith said he would only be asked to step in if the SPC was unhappy with the council's decision.