Keepers hired to help troubled zoo | Rockhampton News | Local News in Rockhampton

TWO keepers have been recruited to help revive the fortunes of Rockhampton's troubled zoo.

One will start this week and the other on November 3 as Rockhampton Regional Council seeks to find the right person to take charge.

The council is advertising nationally for a "manager of life sciences" and is also looking for a "strategic manager recreation services" the senior post made vacant by the redundancy deal accepted by previous parks and gardens boss Tom Wyatt.

The advertisement says knowledge of running a zoo would be an advantage, but is not a requirement.

Recruitment is also under way for a strategic manager of community facilities, tourism and sport.

Deputy Mayor Rose Swadling said the council was determined to do all it could to revive the fortunes of the zoo which has been fiercely criticised in recent months by some ratepayers.

A strategic plan was being developed and there would be a community consultation period to guide the council about the kind of facility the region wanted the zoo to be.

The plan would be developed with expert assistance and was expected to be presented to the council towards the end of December or early in the new year.

"Council wants to make sure things are done right within our zoo so the whole community can continue to enjoy the experience and educational wonders it has to offer."

"Recruiting for the position of co-ordinator life sciences will play an important role in the development of our zoo.

"Council is certainly aware of the work required to ensure the zoo's future and are actively working toward meeting the challenges and indeed looking at opportunities for the zoo in the years ahead."

In a statement, the council said Tom Wyatt's old position as manager of parks, sports and recreation no longer existed.

"A number of positions within council's permanent organisational structure have been adjusted to suit the larger regional council operations.

"The positions of strategic manager recreation services and strategic manger community facilities, tourism and sport have absorbed some of the responsibilities from the position previously known as manager parks, sport and recreation, in addition to other key areas of responsibility such as tourism," it said.