Background

Built to protect platypus from environmental challenges and to allow research into the notoriously shy animal, Platypus Rescue HQ is the largest purpose-built platypus conservation centre in the world. The state-of-the-art centre can house up to 65 platypuses during severe environmental events such as droughts, bushfires and floods.

NSW Public Works (NSWPW) was engaged by Taronga Conservation Society of Australia (TCSA) to provide project management for the delivery of the facility, in partnership with TCSA Capital Works.

Our role

NSWPW provided a range of services throughout the contract, including design coordination, tender management, and contract administration. This type of facility is incredibly unique, with no benchmark or standard to follow. By consulting closely with experts in academia, life sciences, architecture, engineering, aquatic life support, and construction, we developed, tested, prototyped, and incorporated the project parameters into the facility.

Outcomes

Opened in February 2024, the Platypus Rescue HQ is the outcome of collaboration at an international, national, and local stage. This project brought together a wide range of stakeholders including San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Taronga Conservation Society of Australia, the University of New South Wales Centre for Ecosystem Science, and WIRES, with support from the NSW Government and philanthropic donors, all united to conserve and understand this unique Australian species.

The facility is fronted by a platypus exhibit and immersive refuge viewing area, where double-glazed one-way glass is sound proofed to prevent disturbance of the platypus. A separate pre-release area offers rescued platypus the opportunity to undertake rewilding before they are returned to their natural environment.

The headquarters feature fifty tanks separated into five streams to accommodate different river sources in a bio-secure environment. Guided by expert research and eco-friendly sustainable practices, the refuge is a sanctuary for rescued or threatened platypuses where they will be rehabilitated and safely homed in solar pumped water from one of three sources.

Water is a key element of the habitat and the mechanics of integrating it into the project were a key consideration. Supported by access to town and river water, and a large in-ground rainwater tank as an emergency backup, when Platypus Rescue HQ is at full operation it holds half a megalitre of water or 500,000 litres. Every 60 seconds ten tons of water is circulated.

Platypus Rescue HQ complements Taronga Western Plains Zoo's (TWPZ) Science, Education and Conservation precinct and is directly opposite the TWPZ Wildlife Hospital, which NSWPW also helped deliver.

The facility offers TWPZ guests a new experience and the opportunity to view one of Australia’s most reclusive animals.