The Blacktown backyard about to become Sydney’s newest zoo

It doesn't look like much now.

Sixteen and a half hectares of dried grass and bushland, just a few hundred metres from the houses and families of Doonside, in Sydney's west.

But in a little over a year, this slice of Western Sydney Parklands will be a virtual slice of Africa – and, we're told, a tourism drawcard for New South Wales.

The state government has given planning approval for developers John and Jake Burgess to build Sydney's newest zoo.

They're serious and you can see their plans here.

John Burgess, who used to run Sydney Aquarium, and his son have already raised $36 million from investors and banks to bring their vision to life.

And it's no small dream.

The father-son duo are planning about 30 exhibits with a variety of African and Australian animals living in immersive, safari-like enclosures.

The state government is excited about the tourism opportunities.

"Sydney Zoo will set a new standard in visitor experience and have people coming back time and time again,” Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said.

"Set to be Australia's most technologically advanced and innovative zoo in Australia, it will also feature an incredible, integrated Aboriginal and natural heritage program, focusing on the local Darug people of Western Sydney. "

Construction of Sydney Zoo will also give Western Sydney a $61 million shot in the arm, creating 160 full time jobs during construction with 120 full time jobs in place during operation."

The animals will initially come from other zoos around Australia and the world.

But there is still a long way to go.

The group hopes construction will start before Christmas, with plans for the zoo to open before the end of 2018.