Dreamworld ‘can recover’
CITY leaders have expressed faith in the under siege Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld surviving fallout from its darkest day as a week-long focus on tourism begins.
Speaking ahead of the inaugural Gold Coast Tourism Week launch lunch yesterday, Mayor Tom Tate said he had confidence in Dreamworld’s recovery.
“I absolutely do. People have ups and downs. My heart goes out to the families, my heart goes out to the theme park and employees as well because they are feeling it.”
Cr Tate said theme parks were more than just amusement rides these days and included cultural experiences as well as interaction with wildlife.
“Really when you go to theme parks, there are also koalas and tigers, other things for kids, Lego World, Nikolodeon,” he said.
“There are multi-facets. I think the old days of going to a theme park for a ride only are well and truly behind us. It’s about cultural experience with all things like that.”
Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones also expressed confidence in the long-term future of the northern Gold Coast theme park.
Ms Jones revealed she had recently met Dreamworld’s new acting CEO Nicole Noye and chairman Gary Weiss following CEO Craig Davidson’s resignation last week.
“They provided me with detailed information about how they want to invest in Dreamworld and how they want to ensure that Dreamworld continues to be a large employer on the Gold Coast in tourism,’’ the Minister said.
“I have confidence from these meetings they will be investing more in Dreamworld into new attractions and events and they are absolutely committed to the long-term future of the Gold Coast and Dreamworld.”
The show of support from Mayor Tate and Ms Jones comes after the first fortnight of the inquest into the October, 2016, tragedy at Dreamworld in which four people were killed.
Safety and training processes at the park remain in the spotlight as a coroner examines a litany of failures leading to the deaths of Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett, his partner Roozi Araghi and Cindy Low on the Thunder River Rapids ride. Another fortnight of the inquest focusing on management is to be held later this year.
Dreamworld owner Ardent Leisure has appointed respected risk and safety consultant Philip Tanner as Ardent’s new director of safety while retired Queensland police inspector Mike McKay is now Ardent’s culture, community and external relations director.
Last week, Mr Weiss said he could assure the public his board’s focus on safety improvements and enhancements had been ongoing and “the new executive appointments will continue to drive that process”.