Permit set but wheel to stay in Melbourne

Andrew Mathieson
A GIANT skywheel flagged for Geelong’s waterfront this summer will instead operate on the banks of Melbourne’s Yarra River for the next 12 months.
Hi-Lite Amusements operator Brad Verfuth said he had accepted a contract offer from Melbourne City Council hours before Geelong councillors approved permit plans for the Ferris wheel this week.
Geelong’s council officers had recommended to a planning committee meeting on Tuesday night to support the wheel application.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said his council had no hesitation weeks earlier in granting the skywheel a permit to operate near Melbourne’s central business district.
“The giant skywheel has been a feature at Birrarung Marr and we welcome its continued operation in this popular tourist area,” he said.
Mr Verfuth said years of fighting opponents in Geelong conspired against his plans to operate the 45-metre Ferris wheel on Ritchie Boulevard.
The wheel was trialled on the waterfront three years ago to the acclaim of visitors but to the ire of Eastern Beach residents.
“This year it sounds like it’s too late,” he said.
“The objectors still have three more weeks to lodge an appeal with VCAT but I can’t wait to see whether they lodge it or not, so we’re booked into Melbourne for this summer at least.”
Mr Verfuth said he could not guarantee the wheel would ever return to Geelong but he hoped to set up on the waterfront next year to capitalise on the city hosting a world road cycling championships.
“Depending on where we go with VCAT or whatever the objectors decide to do, hopefully we’ll be up and running in September or October for the cycling championships.”
Mr Verfuth told the Independent a fortnight ago that he intended to dump his plans to shift the wheel back to Geelong’s waterfront.
He said pulling away from Geelong this summer was a tough decision.
Mr Verfuth also knocked back an offer from Mornington Peninsula Shire on Wednesday for a permit to operate at Rye.
“Melbourne has been very good to us, so we don’t want to let them down either,” he said.
“Everyone wants it but it’s a matter of getting it through.”
A Ferris wheel objector told the Independent that nearby residents planned to discuss their next option to fight the proposal but would not rule out taking the matter to the state’s planning tribunal.