Luna Park Sydney upgrade with new rides, Big Dipper

Luna Park has announced a major upgrade for its Sydney fun park with nine new rides include a Big Dipper and children’s attractions. SEE THE VIDEO.

Luna Park has announced major upgrade plans for its Sydney fun park with new attractions including a big dipper and children’s rides.

The $30 million upgrade announced on Tuesday will bankroll a total of nine new rides in a move park operators said would bring the iconic venue into the 21st century.

Attractions outlined in the upgrade include a new thrill ride, six children’s rides and a Big Dipper described as the “first inline seating launch roller coaster in the world”.

The park said the “one seat wide” train included in the ride would be smaller than the previous Big Dipper at Luna Park and had been designed to limit impacts on surrounding residents.

The ride will take seven people at a time.

A concept plan of the upgrade.

A plan of the upgrade, overlooking Coney Island.

The announcement comes three months after the park withdrew plans to expand the fun park onto the nearby Lavender Green picnic ground after meeting opposition from residents.

Cost cutting measures prompted by the coronavirus outbreak were among factors cited in the withdrawal of the proposal.

Luna Park managing director Peter Hearne said the new plans had been designed to comply with existing regulations and would provide a job boost in the local area.

An artist’s impression of the upgrade works.

“We are investing over $30 million to upgrade park facilities, introduce nine new, state of the art rides and update some of our other attractions, while ensuring we retain the heritage and history of this much-loved Sydney destination,” he said in a statement.

“We are excited to announce the introduction of nine new permanent rides that will thrill and excite all age levels.”

NSW Jobs Minister Stuart Ayres welcomed the expansion, noting the project is estimated to create more than 2500 direct and indirect jobs during the construction and delivery stages.

“This investment will attract more people to Sydney and ensure that Luna Park continues providing joy and excitement to millions of families and children for the next 85 years and beyond,” he said.

“An investment of this size is great news for all of Sydney as it will create hundreds of jobs, help boost local tourism, and assist in the economic recovery of NSW post COVID-19.”

The upgrades are due to be completed by July next year.