Luna Park could be forced to close after court ruling

LUNA Park could be forced to close if it fails to overturn a court ruling which says it must apply for a development application every time it wants to move or replace a ride.

NSW Blues player Jack de Belin testing the rides at Luna Park. These rides are under threat after a recent decision. Picture: Wayne Taylor

LUNA Park could be forced to close if it fails to overturn a court ruling which says it must apply for a development application every time it wants to move or replace a ride.

Since reopening in 2004 the heritage listed theme park has introduced at least 190 new rides without any issues, but a recent court ruling means now the fun park operator will need to submit a DA for each one.

Luna Park will now face strict rules over new rides.

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DA approvals for the park are costly, with the process usually taking up to 12 months.

Luna Park managing director Peter Hearne told The Daily Telegraph these new rules will cripple the theme park which first opened in 1935.

“The practicality of trying to operate this business for the long term having to seek a further consent every time we want to bring something new in is just totally impractical,” he said.

“We have over a million visitors a year coming to this precinct … the park is heritage listed, and one of the interesting things about it is it’s not just the bricks and mortar, but it’s actually the use of the precinct for entertainment.”

The future of Luna Park is now in doubt

The long term future of the park needs to be secured.”

Mr Hearne is now seeking an urgent meeting with the NSW planning minister Anthony Roberts to try and resolve the matter.

Mr Roberts said the government wants iconic places like Luna Park to be successful, but he said the park must engage with the local community before opening new rides.

A new DA is required every time Luna Park introduces a new ride.

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“The Land and Environment Court’s decision reaffirms the planning department’s requirement that Luna Park needs to have a development consent for major new rides,” he said.

“This is so the community also gets to have a say about their local area. That is only fair”.

Mr Hearne said he was now seeking legal advice on next steps, which could include appealing the court’s decision.

Luna Park now wants an urgent meeting with the government. Picture: Dallas Kilponen

“The matter has to be resolved, it is just such disappointment for us and the people of Sydney,” he said.

“Luna Park is an important part of Sydney’s culture, and is one of only two original ‘Luna Parks’ left in the world.”