Massive Theme Park Diverted Nearly $3M in Taxpayer Money to Build New Coaster

in Theme Parks

Steel taipan at dreamworld

Credit: Dreamworld

A massive theme park diverted nearly $3M in taxpayer money, initially granted for a research facility, to build a new roller coaster.

Environmentalists were enraged after finding out that a popular theme park in Queensland, Australia, diverted nearly 3M AUD in taxpayer money to build a new rollercoaster, ignoring plans for a koala research facility, for which the government had initially granted the money.

Dreamworld mascots at the park's entrance
Credit: Dreamworld

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The 2.7M AUD — about 1.8M USD — granted to Queensland’s Dreamworld in 2019 were initially issued to fund a new, state-of-the-art koala research facility aimed at tackling issues in the native animals, including high rates of chlamydia, as part of the Park’s conservation activities.

However, the money was “redirected” by theme park officials to build a new roller coaster, Steel Taipan, which recently opened as Australia’s only triple launch roller coaster. This decision was taken after successfully arguing that the money would be better spent on the coaster and approved by the Queensland state government; more specifically, by Queensland’s tourism and innovation minister, Stirling Hinchcliffe.

Koala interaction at dreamworld
Credit: Dreamworld

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As reported by PerthNow, Mr. Hinchliffe stated the following:

In view of the Future Lab project being placed on hold, the Queensland government approved that the funding previously approved for the research facility be repurposed to support the construction of the new ride, taking into consideration the immediate impacts of the pandemic and the appeal of new tourism offers likely to attract returning domestic visitors and international tourists when borders reopened. 

The decision was partly influenced to pursue a boost in the state’s tourism industry and employment following the substantial impact the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had on it and the entire world.

The construction of the research facility would have been essential for helping the endangered species, which is predicted to be extinct by 2050.

The gold coaster at dreamworld
Credit: Dreamworld

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A Dreamworld spokeswoman commented the following regarding the Park’s actions:

Dreamworld acknowledges and thanks the Queensland government for permission to repurpose the grant in question for the building of Steel Taipan; an attraction offering tremendous benefit to the rebuilding of the tourism industry and to employment in Queensland.

Dreamworld is committed to conservation and makes meaningful change via the Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation, which has raised over $3.5 million for animal conservation and continues to fund important conservation projects in Australia and internationally.

Dreamworld wildlife fundation header
Credit: Screenshot via Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation website

Gold Coast City councilor Hermann Vorster said the decision would anger taxpayers and impact koalas. In an interview with Nine News, he stated the following:

I think the government has helped Dreamworld build a ride but the taxpayer has been taken for a ride and unfortunately the koalas have become short-changed too.

I think it’s ridiculous to be blaming covid on this decision.

Koalas need our help yesterday, they need our help today and they’ll always need our help tomorrow.

The community should have had full transparency if the government changed their minds because maybe then people would change the government.

Dreamworld conservation activities
Credit: Dreamworld

More on Dreamworld

Per the Park’s website, Dreamworld is Australia’s favorite theme park, with rides, slides, and wildlife all in one place on the Gold Coast, Australia’s playground. The Park hosts around one million visitors each year with a staff of more than 1200, including ride operators, lifeguards, engineers, entertainers, animal carers, and many more.

Guests at Dreamworld
Credit: Dreamworld

Dreamworld is also a wildlife conservation park and the most significant zoological contributor to tiger conservation worldwide. The Park states it proudly helps support the protection and conservation of Tigers, Koalas, Bilbies, Tree Kangaroos, and more.

The Park has over 20 attractions, from family rides to thrilling attractions, including Steel Taipan, the polemic new attraction discussed in this article.

Steel taipan at dreamworld
Credit: Dreamworld

Dreamworld’s website describes the Park’s controversial new attraction as follows:

Now striking at Dreamworld is a reptilian rollercoaster experience with a top speed of 105km/h and a G-force of 3.8!

You’ll hang on tight as Steel Taipan snakes around 1.2km of twists, turns and three gut-lurching launches! With 4 inversions and the world’s first “Tailwhip” – a spinning seat at the rear of the train, this experience will have enough venom to leave you reeling.

What do you think of this situation? Let us know in the comments below!

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