Wheel hopes sunk

Andrew Mathieson
A GEELONG ferris wheel operator intends to dump his plans to shift back to Geelong’s waterfront this summer.
Bradley Verfurth said he had given up hope of operating the giant skywheel after a three-year battle with bureaucratic red tape and objecting residents.
The wheel is now set to spend summer in Melbourne. Mr Verfurth has a permit until the end of October at Birrarung Marr on the banks of the Yarra River, near Melbourne’s central business district.
Geelong’s council has stalled for several months his application to operate the wheel on Ritchie Boulevard.
“I’m staying in Melbourne at this stage just because I don’t think Geelong will get up in time for this summer,” Mr Verfurth said.
He ruled out setting up the wheel in Geelong unless council gave approval before the end of this month.
Residents have complained against the 45-metre high wheel with concerns about public safety, traffic, visual impact and anti-social behaviour on Ritchie Boulevard.
Mr Verfurth believed that objectors would “most likely” oppose his plan at Victorian Civil Administrative Council if he won a green light from council.
“There are a couple who are very wealthy (residents) and money doesn’t matter that much to them,” he said.
Three Victorian councils are battling for the skywheel.
Mr Verfurth said his arrangement with City of Melbourne had turned out “financially twice as good” as Geelong. A carnival operator had been acting on behalf of Mornington Peninsula Shire to lure the wheel back after a stint last summer.
Mr Verfurth said the shire had already given its approval.
“We have said to them that we are waiting on a response but if we don’t hear back soon we’re coming your way,” he said.
Mornington mayor Anne Shaw said the popular attraction, which residents dubbed the “Rye Eye”, had attracted thousands of tourists to the holiday destination.
Mr Verfurth said Geelong had applied the most stringent conditions to gain a permit.
“I’ve been fighting Geelong’s council for three years and sometimes it takes just three weeks at other councils,” he said.