New native animal zoo proposed for Sydney's west

A proposed zoo for western Sydney would open its doors in 2017 and focus on native animals, the NSW government says.

A proposed zoo for western Sydney would open its doors in 2017 and focus on native animals. (AAP)

A handful of hippos, lions and hundreds of thousands of humans could be headed to western Sydney in 2017.

NSW Environment Minister Mark Speakman on Monday announced leasing approval for a proposed zoo at the Western Sydney Parklands site at Bungarribee.

The government says the zoo, if approved, would open in late 2017 and attract about 745,000 visitors a year.