Broadbeach carousel: the horses have bolted and so have so many great memories

Locals react with dismay as workers move in to dismantle famous carousel. But a key part of the attraction has been saved at the last minute.

Demolition work has begun on the Rotary Carousel Broadbeach. Picture: Jerad Williams

THE Broadbeach Carousel is being dismantled, sparking concerns that the heart will be ripped out of the popular family destination.

However, the horses and parts of the ride are not going to storage, as first planned by council, and will find a new home with the Showman’s Guild.

Councillors in January voted unanimously to remove the favourite family ride after area councillor Paul Taylor raised concerns about its safety.

Demolition work has begun on the Rotary Carousel Broadbeach. Picture: Jerad Williams

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Reports suggested council officers were keen to complete the work before the start of the school holidays next month and refurbish the site in May.

Former councillor Eddy Sarroff today told The Bulletin: “They have wrapped up the horses in plastic and they are removing the interior pieces.

“This is the destruction of Broadbeach. The heart has been removed from the family destination. It is very sad. Businesses are struggling without this major attraction.”

The Broadbeach businessman along with other residents had staged a protest around the ride and urged council to spend money to fix it.

Cr Taylor during the council debate apologised for being blunt but told colleagues “if no one wants it, down to the tip with it”.

The work site at the Broadbeach Carousel.

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He was concerned about council being legally liable if children were hurt by the ride.

“It was a dangerous situation. After the Dreamworld tragedy, we had to look at it. Two of the horses jumped off the top rail,” Cr Taylor told The Bulletin today.

“The Showman’s Guild has contacted us and they will take the horses and some of mechanical parts. They can have it.

“It will take a week (to remove it). Then I will put down timber floors and seating. I am definitely looking at plans for the area.”

The Bulletin has obtained a report, presented to councillors in a closed session, which shows council officers conducted an expressions of interest process to get a suitably qualified community group to take ownership of the carousel.

The work site at Broadbeach. Picture: Jerad Williams.

The EOI only attracted a single applicant, and that application was not successful.

The report said the cost for refurbishment of the site had yet to be determined. Council is not making public an estimate provided by officers.

“No capital funding has been allocated for the reinstatement of the existing carousel site in the 2018-19 budget. These works could potentially be funded from savings identified in the March Budge Review,” the report said.