Indigenous leaders worried about future of Dreamworld Corroboree precinct

July 28, 2020

Aboriginal leaders on the Gold Coast are worried about what the future holds for the traditional stories, materials, and staff at Dreamworld’s award-winning Corroboree attraction.

With the Gold Coast theme park currently closed and the precinct's head curator reportedly made redundant in recent job cuts made by Dreamworld’s management, the ABC has reported that Indigenous leaders are emphasising that the attraction’s traditional stories and material belong to them, and not the Ardent Leisure-owned attraction.

The Dreamworld Corroboree precinct's head curator has been made redundant in recent job cuts

Dreamworld Corroboree was made possible with taxpayer funds of $1.1 million

Yugambeh Region Aboriginal Corporation Alliance (YRACA) Chairman, Ted Williams advised that the Alliance “is concerned about the employees of Dreamworld Corroboree and the materials on display in this precinct of the theme park in the event the park does not reopen.”

While Village Roadshow has reopened its Gold Coast attractions, Ardent Leisure has not announced when Dreamworld will again welcome guests.

With Ardent Leisure having reported dismal financial results in recent years and due in Court tomorrow in relation to the deaths of four guests on Dreamworld’s on the Thunder River Rapids ride in 2016, there are fears Dreamworld may not ever reopen.

Fearing a permanent closure, Williams stated “we hope Dreamworld reopens and we hope Corroboree is part of Dreamworld when it reopens.

"If things go wonky with Dreamworld, and I hope they don't, the Corroboree section of Dreamworld has to be given back to us if the place doesn't recover to a point where we can stay there.

"While we are very happy for it to be within Dreamworld, we still believe it's ours."

The precinct opened in 2014 in partnership with the Yugambeh Museum after $1.1 million in Federal Government funding was matched by Dreamworld.

50 jobs have recently been lost at the theme park, but a spokesperson for Dreamworld said no frontline jobs across Dreamworld Corroboree had been impacted.

In a statement, the theme park said any decisions about the future direction of Corroboree would be in consultation with Indigenous elders.

The statement read "Dreamworld remains committed to their Reconciliation Action Plan and intends to revisit once the park reopens.

"All frontline Indigenous employees are guaranteed employment regardless of the direction of Dreamworld Corroboree."

The Court case involving Dreamworld's parent company Ardent Leisure sees it charged with three breaches of Queensland's workplace laws.

The maximum penalty for each breach is $1.5 million, or $4.5 million in total.

Ardent Leisure and its insurer are also being pursued for compensation by visitors who witnessed the tragedy, and staff and emergency workers who were first on the scene.

Around 300 shareholders have also registered to take part in a class action against the operator of Dreamworld.

Images: Dreamworld Corroboree opened in 2014 with $1.1 million in Federal Government support.(Supplied: Dreamworld)

21st July 2020 - Ardent Leisure faces three charges over 2016 Dreamworld ride fatalities

10th July 2020 - Coronavirus impact sees Dreamworld make 50 positions redundant

24th June 2020 - Shutdown impacts Dreamworld’s plans for construction of new rollercoaster

18th June 2020 - Ardent Leisure shareholders launch class action over Dreamworld deaths

5th June 2020 - Ardent and Village Roadshow look for early reopening of Gold Coast theme parks

25th February 2020 - Ardent Leisure shares fall after critical Coroner’s report into Dreamworld tragedy

25th February 2020 - Queensland Government announces acceptance of Coroner’s findings into 2016 Dreamworld ride deaths

25th February 2020 - Ardent Leisure faces possible prosecution over 2016 ride deaths

24th February 2020 - Coroner’s report on Dreamworld fatalities exposes Ardent Leisure to prosecution for multiple safety breaches

8th February 2020 - Dreamworld permanently closes Rocky Hollow Log Ride

7th February 2020 - Dreamworld enjoys successful peak season

18th January 2020 - South east Queensland deluge closes Dreamworld, Movie World and Wet’n'Wild Gold Coast

15th December 2019 - Dreamworld kicks off 38th anniversary celebrations

23rd August 2019 - Dreamworld’s long-awaited Sky Voyager takes flight

28th June 2019 - Ardent Leisure facing potential $80 million liability in wake of Dreamworld inquest

8th April 2019 - Ardent Leisure borrows $225 million for attractions investment

13th March 2019 - Ardent Leisure shares hit seven-year low

22nd February 2019 - Ardent Leisure losses rise as guests fail to return to Dreamworld

6th December 2018 - Final days of inquest into Dreamworld fatalities sees calls for new initiatives in theme park safety

23rd October 2018 - Ardent Leisure names casino and hospitality professional as new Dreamworld Chief Executive

19th October 2018 - Dreamworld manager denies obstructing Queensland Police investigation during emotional Coronial inquiry testimony

13th February 2014 - Dreamworld opens new indigenous and wildlife experience on the Gold Coast

1st October 2013 - Dreamworld to introduce new Indigenous themed ‘world’ in December

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