“Is this the end of the iconic Luna Park?” read the headlines this morning after a court delayed a ride expansion at Sydney’s last remaining non-water-based amusement park, Luna Park.
Think about it – Luna Park really has been Sydney’s last remaining non-water-based amusement park since Wonderland closed in 2004. It’s all the childlike fun the city has left during winter, and it seems a court’s recent decision could now stunt its growth and potentially put its future at risk.
Here’s what happened:
Luna Park’s owners were planning to construct a new carousel ride called the ‘Flying Carousel’.
Image: Annie Spratt/Unsplash
Sounds fun, but when the Land and Environment Court heard about it, they told owners that they need to make a development approval before they start construction.
Upon hearing of the court’s ruling, Luna Park’s Chief Executive Peter Hearne told the Sydney Morning Herald that he was deeply disappointed because it means the park will have to wait for development approval for any new or replaced ride, essentially delaying the expansion process. That’s IF they’re eventually approved.
Image: Luna Park/Facebook
Hearne said the decision “places a question mark over the long-term viability” of the amusement park as a delay in refreshing the park could mean a loss of business (repeat and new), which in turn puts the financial future of the park at risk.
“We have always played by the rules only to find that, now, those rules are being interpreted in a way that will place the long-term future of the park in doubt.”
Peter Hearne, Luna Park Chief Executive
“This is a terrible outcome not just for Luna Park but for Sydney.”
Acting Justice Simon Molesworth responded by saying that “the Court is aware that determining the legal position with respect to the Flying Carousel proposal is likely to concurrently provide guidance with respect to future new open ride proposals.”
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