Dreamworld rollercoaster works start

DREAMWORLD’S rollercoaster 2020 is taking another twist, with work to start on Monday on the park’s most expensive attraction ever.

The $32m rollercoaster was announced last year but construction has been delayed while the world battled the coronavirus pandemic.

However, in a positive sign for the park’s future, construction will start next week, with the attraction set to open in time for next year’s Christmas holidays.

The addition of the southern hemisphere’s first triplelaunch system will include a stall and reversed twisted half pipe, and the world’s first separate “spinning gondola’’ attached to the rear of the rollercoaster train.

Dreamworld chief executive John Osborne said it had been a long journey, but staff were excited that work was getting under way on what will become the park’s flagship thrill ride, after the opening of the Sky Voyager flying theatre last year.

“Our coaster project is now full steam ahead after a COVID-inflicted pause, and we will be turning soil on the project within the next fortnight,” Mr Osborne said.

“Given the positive impact this project is set to have on both the local economy and Gold Coast tourism, we are excited to be commencing the build.

“What we do know is that we are confident this attraction, once completed, will be a great addition to Dreamworld and will be incredibly well received by our guests.”

The coaster project is expected to take up to 12 months to build, will generate more than $15m of contractor works and will employ more than 200 people.