Ardent Leisure: Dreamworld owner asks staff to take leave or move to part time work in response to COVID-19 crisis

Dreamworld owner Ardent Leisure has announced it is halting all work on new attractions as part of a radical list of emergency measures to deal with the coronavirus crisis.

WORK is being halted on new attractions at Dreamworld as the Gold Coast’s theme parks struggle to deal with the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

Dreamworld in August announced a major $50 million investment program to include a massive new 1.2km roller coaster and a multimillion-dollar revamp of ABC Kids World.

However in a statement to staff this morning it was revealed those investments have now been put on ice.

“In order to minimise the impact of COVID-19, Dreamworld, WhiteWater World and SkyPoint are taking measures to ensure it is doing all that is reasonably practicable to maintain job security,” the statement said. “To this end, we have frozen non-essential capital expenditure including the construction of the new rollercoaster, ABC KIDS World expansion and the Future Lab.”

The new rollercoaster which was due to be constructed at Dreamworld.

Dreamworld is also asking employees to take leave and shutting event spaces as it deals with tumbling visitor numbers.

It is asking all Dreamworld, WhiteWater World and SkyPoint staff to consider using their leave entitlements and all full-time salaried employees to consider moving to part time work.

“For those Team Members whose jobs permit working from home, this arrangement can be

discussed with management,” the statement said.

Visitor numbers to Dreamworld have fallen significantly in recent days. Pics Adam Head

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“We want to reassure you that we are taking steps and doing everything in our power, including speaking with government, in an effort to ensure that the business is able to survive

this period.”

The company has also decided to cancel any events and/or functions where 100 people would have been in attendance at its Dreamworld Exhibition Centre and SkyPoint event spaces.

This follows government advice on holding gatherings indoors of more than 100 people.

Dreamworld and WhiteWater World are considered open outdoor areas and not included.

Magician Consentino has cancelled his upcoming shows at Dreamworld. Picture: Jason Edwards

Ardent earlier cancelled the upcoming performances by magician Consentino at Dreamworld.

Yesterday Village Roadshow announced it was “temporarily” shutting Australian Outback Spectacular yesterday until March 31 in response to the health crisis.

It is also asking all employees to take leave, slashing executive salaries and axing bonuses.

CEO Clark Kirby said it was possible city’s theme parks may also close and closing Outback until March 31 was in response to limits on 100-person crowds indoors.

He said the company was working on contingency plans for that eventuality if the rest of its parks closed.

Gold coast Suns player Jack Lukosius on top of the Gold Coast doing the Skypoint climb on Q1. Picture Glenn Hampson

Both stock in Village and Ardent have been hammered in recent days.

However, they have recovered somewhat in early trade today with Village shares up 7.6 per cent to 92c and Ardent up 13 per cent to 20.5c.