Dreamworld boss resigns amid update revealing the recent Brisbane lockdown dented the park’s performance

The top boss of Dreamworld has suddenly resigned amid a trading update that detailed the theme park’s recovery from the pandemic.

The top boss of Dreamworld’s shock resignation has coincided with a trading update detailing the Queensland icon is still being financially battered by the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement lodged to the Australian Stock Exchange on Wednesday morning, John Osborne announced he would step down as the chief executive of Ardent Leisure’s theme park business for personal reasons.

Ardent Leisure is the parent company that owns Dreamworld and the Q1 Skypoint observation deck on the Gold Coast.

The departure of Mr Osborne follows a separate update by the company that revealed the recent Greater Brisbane snap lockdown had hindered its trading performance over the Easter holiday period.

Ardent Leisure theme parks division chief executive John Osborne has suddenly resigned. Picture: Adam Head

Ardent Leisure noted conditions for the theme park, which spent most of 2020 non-operational, would remain challenging until at least the second half of the next financial year (FY22).

“The ensuing border uncertainty was further exacerbated by extreme adverse weather conditions for the first week of the holidays, including over the Easter weekend,” the company said in a statement.

It also warned the ending of JobKeeper payments would dent earnings for the remainder of the financial year.

Dreamworld said the recent snap Brisbane lockdown hurt trading. Picture Supplied

“We are optimistic about trading in the second half of FY22, driven by the expected opening of Steel Taipan and pent-up local and interstate demand, though this is largely contingent on the Australian vaccine rollout, no COVID-19 outbreaks and resultant domestic border confidence,” Mr Osborne said.

The company noted its US operation Main Event had begun to recover due to the nation’s broad vaccine rollout.

Ardent Leisure has confirmed that Gold Coast businessman Greg Yong will be Mr Osborne’s replacement with an annual base salary of $550,000.

Mr Yong has previously worked at rival theme park group Village Roadshow in various roles, including chief operating officer.

Originally published as Dreamworld boss resigns amid update revealing the recent Brisbane lockdown dented the park’s performance