Controversial Luna Park ride the Hair Raiser saved from the chop

LUNA Park has been given the final seal of approval to keep operating a thrill ride built without planning permission.

LUNA Park has been given the final seal of approval to keep operating a thrill ride built without planning permission.

The 37-metre tall Hair Raiser appeared in the park in 2013 and the case came to the attention of the State Government after angering neighbours.

The independent Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) was given the power to make the final decision on the ride’s future.

“The Commission determines that the ongoing use of the ‘Hair Raiser’ ride be approved,” the ruling states.

However, there are conditions attached.

Luna Park's newest ride Hair Raiser in action. Picture: Elenor Tedenborg

The fun-park operators must consult an expert to recommend measures to reduce the “visual impact” of the ride on the surrounding residential properties.

This could include changes to the colour of the ride and lighting.

These changes must be made within six months as long as they don’t compromise the safety of the ride.

Several other issues were discussed in the report.

The issue of the legality of the structure was raised in public submissions but the PAC stated it could not determine on this matter.

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“If the ride was established without necessary statutory approval this is appropriately a compliance matter for the Department,” it stated.

“The Commission’s role is to determine the application before it, that is for the ongoing use of the ‘Hair Raiser’ ride.”

The debate about whether the ride was a building or a structure was discussed in the report and the Department of Planning was consulted for advice.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK OF THE DECISION

The Luna Park Plan of Management has a height limit of 16m for buildings.

“The Commission has accepted this advice that the ‘Hair Raiser’ ride is a ‘structure’ and not a ‘building’ and is therefore not subject to the building height restrictions in the Plan,” it says.

The zone where the Hair Raiser is built also does not have an established height restriction, the report states.

He is unhappy the funpark erected it without state government approval.

Noise was raised in a number of the public submissions but the PAC decided it is at acceptable levels.

“It is agreed by most submitters that the greatest noise is from the ride patrons rather than the mechanical noise of the structure,” the report says.

“The ‘Hair Raiser’ is no noisier than other rides and meets the specified noise limits in the Luna Park Act,” Therefore, noise impact is acceptable.”

The Hair Raiser was the first new ride built at the amusement park in a decade.

The fun-park operators failed to get planning permission to build it and lodged a retrospective development application.

The State Government gave the thumbs up for the ride to stay but let the PAC make the final decision because of the number of community objections.

Luna Park’s parent company Brookfield Multiplex did not wish to comment.

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