Terri Irwin and Russell Crowe 'become business partners as they prepare to open a $250 million U.S branch of Australia Zoo' after denying they are romantically linked

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They have denied being romantically linked numerous times.

Now, according to New Idea Terri Irwin and Russell Crowe are moving their 'relationship' from pleasure to business.

The magazine has reported the pair are 'finalising' plans to expand Queensland's renowned Australia Zoo into California.

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From pleasure to business? Terri Irwin and Russell Crowe are reportedly 'finalising' plans to expand Australia Zoo into California, U.S.A

According to a source, the pair's project will cost a whopping $250 million, with construction kicking off in late 2017. 

The friend of the Hollywood actor revealed the plan to go international has Russell's 'full attention'.  

'Russell convinced Terri that this would not only be a great way to earn money to support her Wildlife Warriors appeals, it would also give her a global platform to take Australia Zoo's conservation program to the next level,' the unnamed source told. 

Expanding: According to New Idea, the pair's project will cost a whopping $250 million, with construction kicking off in late 2017

Supporting her: A source has told: 'He knows how much conservation and wildlife education means to her and wanted to help her take the Australia Zoo dream global'

'He knows how much conservation and wildlife education means to her and wanted to help her take the Australia Zoo dream global.' 

Despite the couple denying to Daily Mail Australia that they were in a relationship and getting married, the source has once again told New Idea that a wedding is still on the cards. 

'They're committed to getting married and seeing their relationship go to the next level - having a business together is a natural progression of that,' they said. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted a representative for Terri and Russell for comment. 

Side by side: Terri currently operates the Australia Zoo with her two children, Bindi, 18 and Robert, 13 after her husband Steve (pictured) passed away

The claims come a month after New Idea claimed Russell and Terri were headed for the wedding aisle after keeping their relationship secret for months.

But a representative for Terri told Daily Mail Australia that she and Russell are just friends. 

'There is no romantic link at all between Terri and Russell. Once again, these reports are completely false,' they said.

Russell also slammed the reports, taking to Twitter last Wednesday writing: 'Last week @NewIdeamagazine said I was getting married, now @WomansDay saying the weddings off.

'I have such a dramatic life in bs magazines,' he signed off. 

On-off: Claims Russell and Terri are opening an extension of the Zoo comes a month after New Idea reported they were headed for the wedding aisle - they have both denied the reports

On sale: The source spoke to the latest issue of New Idea magazine