Complaints force cut to skywheel proposal

Andrew Mathieson
Residents’ complaints have prompted a ferris wheel operator to scale back his plans for Geelong’s waterfront.
Bradley Verfuth said he now planned to operate his giant “skywheel” for a maximum of about six months from October to March rather than year-round over three years.
Mr Verfuth resubmitted his proposal to relocate the 45-metre-high wheel to Ritchie Boulevard along Eastern Beach after a successful three-month trial in 2007.
He cut back his proposed operating time after waterfront residents complained about the skywheel during and after the trial.
“We’ve had a few complaints, so we thought it might appease a few of the residents,” he said.
“But I don’t think it will (appease them) because since then they have found more issues to complain about.”
A spokesperson told the Indep-endent that residents’ objections included concerns about safety, anti-social behaviour around the wheel and its likely impact on views and traffic around Eastern Beach.
Residents also believed that approval of the wheel application would be at odds with a $3.1 million grant to enhance the site’s “historic features and values”, the spokesperson said.
But Mr Verfuth said the residents had given him a different explanation.
“Their complaints were that we bring too many people down to their beach – that was their biggest gripe,” he said.
“One lady had a go at me and said ‘We don’t want people at our beach’.
“I didn’t realise people owned it – its Geelong’s beach, isn’t it.”
Mr Verfuth said the public feedback, especially from visiting families, after the trial was “fantastic”.
His company, Hi-Lite Amusements, had looked at other sites around Geelong’s waterfront but said its hands were tied, he said.
Mr Verfuth said his request to “borrow” the land was refused.
Steampacket Gardens was also out of bounds, he said.
“Council doesn’t really want us there because it has half a dozen events it wants to have through that park.”
Geelong’s council is set to consider the proposal at an upcoming meeting.