SELF-MADE millionaire property developer Ammar Khan’s dream to resurrect Sydney’s Wonderland has had a billion dollar cash injection and, as a result of the financial backing, is going to be bigger than first planned.

Indian oil company Fox Petroleum Limited (FPL) will invest $1 billion dollars over five years for stage one, which includes Sydney’s Wonderland, a wildlife park and a water park connected by a multi-themed ‘boulevard’ with hotels, cinemas, restaurants and entertainment facilities, Mr Khan announced today.

United Arab Emirates-based FPL has recently expanded to Australia as Fox Petroleum Australia, with Mr Khan coming on board as one of four directors.

FPL trades in finished products produced from crude oil, gas and dual fuel turbines for electricity production.

An ambitious stage two will follow with sporting, live music and convention venues.

An exact location has not been secured, but is due to be finalised in the coming months.

Western Sydney Theme Park plans to build, own and operate the precinct.

Once a site has been secured, a proposal will be formally lodged with the State Government.

media_camera An artist impression of what the Sydney Wonderland theme park could look like.

Urban Estate Developments owner Mr Khan, of Mt Druitt, wants to rekindle the memories he had while working at the former western Sydney theme park Wonderland, by creating Sydney’s Wonderland.

“I worked there for nine years, up until it closed, and even tried to approach big business to keep the park alive,” he said.

“I vowed to bring the park back, not just as a desire but a life-consuming obsession.”

SYDNEY’S WONDERLAND SET TO MAKE IT’S HOME IN SYDNEY’S WEST

SUPERPARK TO RIVAL GOLD COAST’S THEME PARK STRIP

SYDNEY’S LONG-LOST AMUSEMENT PARKS

AUSTRALIA’S WONDERLAND NOSTALGIA RIDES HIGH

media_camera Visitors outside the entrance to Australia's Wonderland in 2004 following news that theme park was closing down. Picture: Tracee Lea

media_camera Families enjoy the last opening day at Wonderland Sydney on April 26, 2004 by riding the Bush Beast Roller Coaster. Picture:Jeff Herbert

Since 2009, Mr Khan has been working on the ambitious project and he hopes to incorporate aspects of the old Wonderland in the new site too.

“The tourism market has needed a major entertainment and tourism precinct,” he said.

“We are excited about transforming the tourism economy...and bringing countless opportunities for employment and business.

media_camera The theme park would include a a wildlife park and a water park.

media_camera The two parks would be connected by a multi-themed ‘boulevard’ with hotels, cinemas, restaurants and entertainment facilities.

David Bakas will join the board of management. He is an expert in the themed entertainment industry and is coming directly from Disney in Orlando, Florida, Mr Khan said.

Sydney-based FPL chairman and managing director Ajay Kumar, whom Mr Khan started negotiating with about 12 months ago, said they were excited about the potential opportunities.

“We are pleased to join this great business,” Dr Kumar said.

Mr Khan said it would take three years to complete stage one of the project.

He was pleased to be in partnership with FPL and said they were an organisation of “quality leadership and great vision”.

Property developer Saryu Prasad, a director with the Fox Group of Companies, said he saw the Western Sydney Theme Park precinct as being a unique, world class project.

“It should put Sydney’s tourism market at a whole new level on the international stage,” he said.

media_camera Resurrecting the park is a long-held dream for property developer Ammar Khan.

The Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said the state’s current strong growth in international visitation was increasing demand for high quality tourism assets.

He said he was looking forward to seeing a more detailed proposal when one is ready to be presented to the government, but could not confirm a possible location for the amusement park.

The now-defunct Wonderland Sydney opened amid much media attention in 1985.

Famous amusements included The Bush Beast, Demon and The Beastie.

Malaysian-based Sunway Group purchased it 1997.

During the seven years Sunway Group owned the park, they only added one ride — the Skyrider, which was the former cable car at the Sydney Showgrounds.

A press release issued when the closure was announced in February 2004 blamed the “devastating bushfires, skyrocketing insurance premiums and collapses of HIH and Ansett”, and it closed its doors two months later.

Details: http://www.sydneyswonderland.com.au