Office of Workplace Health and Safety set to charge Ardent Leisure over 2016 tragedy

Dreamworld’s parent company Arden Leisure has been hit with three charges, with a possible penalty of $1.5m for each, four years after four people were killed in the Thunder River Rapids ride tragedy.

DREAMWORLD’S parent company Ardent Leisure could be fined up to $4.5 million after being hit with three charges over the infamous Thunder River Rapids disaster which claimed four lives.

The charges, which each carry a maximum penalty of $1.5 million, fall under the Work Health and Safety Act.

In a statement, the Office of Industrial Relations said Ardent Leisure had been charged with three offences under the Work Health and Safety Act for failing to comply with its health and safety duty ‘and exposing individuals to a risk of serious injury or death’

It’s alleged Ardent Leisure failed to provide safe plant and structures, safe systems of work or information, training, instruction and supervision to protect all persons from risk to their health and safety.

Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett, Roozi Araghi and Cindy Low died on the Thunder River Rapids ride.

Dreamworld inquest findings into Thunder River Rapids Ride tragedy

A six-week inquest which wrapped up in December 2018 heard testimony from dozens of witnesses ranging from emergency services personnel to Dreamworld staff, but no family members took the witness stand.

Findings were handed in February this year with Dreamworld’s parent company Ardent Leisure referred to the Office of Industrial Relations.

Queensland Coroner James McDougall handed down a scathing 300-page findings into the tragedy where he labelled Dreamworld’s actions a ‘total failure’ and the hazards on the Thunder River Rapids ride posed ‘significant risk’ to patrons.

Authorities investigating the tragedy on Dreamworld’s Thunder River Rapids ride. Picture: Dan Peled

He said there had been a “systemic failure by Dreamworld to ensure all aspects of safety” and referred Ardent Leisure Limited to the Office of Industrial Relations (OIR).

In a statement, Gary Weiss, the chairman of Dreamworld’s parent company Ardent leisure, said the park was committed to continuing a drive to improve safety.

Part 1: The sliding doors moment that ended in tragedy

Part 2: When happiness turned to horror

Part 3: Villains, botch jobs and scandal plague post-disaster response

Part 4: Explosive Dreamworld failings revealed

“First and foremost, we again express our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of Roozbeh Araghi, Luke Dorsett, Kate Goodchild and Cindy Low for their loss and ongoing suffering and say sorry to all of the people impacted by this tragedy,” he said.

“There has been considerable change at Dreamworld over the last few years as was acknowledged by the Coroner in his Report.

#BREAKING: Charges are expected to be laid against Dreamworld's parent company Ardent Leisure over the 2016 tragedy which claimed four lives. #9Today pic.twitter.com/o6ffGNsS65

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) July 20, 2020

“Dreamworld has taken substantive and proactive steps to improve safety across the entire park and continues to enhance existingsystems and practices, as well as adopt new ones, as we develop and implement our safety case in accordance with the Queensland Government’s new major amusement park safety regulations.

Dreamworld disaster victims’ families invited to share heartache before inquest findings

“The new leadership team is committed to continuing to improve and enhance safety systems and practices with the aim of becoming a global industry leader in theme park safety and operations.”

But no individuals will face charges over the disaster.

Work Health and Safety prosecutor Aaron Guilfoyle said he did not propose to lay any further charges in the matter.

The charges against Ardent Leisure will be mentioned in the Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday 29 July 2020.

Originally published as Office of Workplace Health and Safety set to charge Ardent Leisure over 2016 tragedy