Luna Park fighting to keep the Hair Raiser after North Sydney residents complain about “hoony ride”
THE Hair Raiser has drawn plenty of people into Luna Park but the thrill might be over after North Sydney residents complained about the ride.
North Shore
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LUNA Park is appealing to the state government to save its newest white-knuckle ride from being torn down.
The 37-metre high Hair Raiser plummets to the ground at speeds of 80km/h and has made thrillseekers scream since late 2013.
But the fun park operators failed to get planning permission to build it and are now facing several objections from residents.
HAIR RAISER COULD BE TORN DOWN
“The Hair Raiser has refreshed Luna Park by introducing a new ride, attracting repeat business and will help to keep Luna Park successful,” a report written on behalf of the park said.
The park claims it is in the public interest to keep the new ride open and that it is not causing any significant social or environmental impacts.
However, the Planning Department has received several objections to the ongoing use of the ride.
North Sydney Council described the Hair Raiser as visually intrusive and poorly suited to its iconic location on the harbour foreshore.
LUNA PARK LAUNCHES HAIR RAISER
It pointed out the ride is located within the Sydney Opera House World Heritage Listed buffer zone and appears contrary to environmental planning objectives for the area.
Residents have also written to the planning department to voice their concerns about noise, the size of the ride and the lights.
One McMahons Point resident said the constant screaming has caused headaches and lack of sleep.
“It is very unreasonable for any local residents to have to endure the screaming and stress this ride in this location evokes,” the resident wrote.
The bright strobe lighting was of huge concern to another local who described it as “quite unnerving”.
Another submission claims that the people attracted by the “hoony ride” are detrimental to the neighbourhood.
And the visual impact was also of great concern with one objector describing it as “an ugly monstrosity”.
“If I wanted to install something like this in my backyard I would not be allowed to, yet here Luna Park has been able to do this right beside Sydney Harbour,” the objector added.
However, a smaller number of people are supporting the ride.
A Milsons Point resident who can hear the screams at home wants the Hair Raiser to stay as the park brings tourists to the area.
And another said the “energy and excitement” at the park would be reduced if it was taken away.
The fun park considers that it already has existing developmental consent for the use of the Hair Raiser.
The park lodged a development application late last year after the Planning Department previously gave it 14 days to respond as to why the ride should not be dismantled.
Brookfield Multiplex declined to comment.
The Department of Planning and Environment is yet to make a decision.
“The Department will complete its assessment of the application for ongoing operation of the Hair Raiser ride after the proponent has supplied its response to community feedback received during the recent exhibition period,” a spokesman for the department said.
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