Interviews

Name: Dax Eddy

Title: General Manager (Jamberoo Action Park)

What does the Kangaroo Island development include exactly?

The development includes a Tornado, Behemoth Bowl, interactive play area, dual Mammoth River, 450-metre river with a range of themed features and a mag-lev Rocket Coaster. We will more than double our lockers and toilet facilities and will include approximately 1,000 square metres of shaded areas.

What were the reasons behind these attractions being chosen?

When we select rides, we focus on high capacity, high thrill, low maintenance and flexibility with theming.

Will entry prices rise with the Kangaroo Island addition?

We have not planned any increase at this stage. We are always mindful of maintaining our reputation as excellent value for money.

When do you plan for construction to start (depending on approval, of course)?

Development would commence in the first February to March after approval, however, construction planning meetings may determine a different time frame.

How many more guests do you expect to see when Kangaroo Island opens?

The development would be staged and increased numbers would depend heavily on weather and the economic climate.

Where do you see the park in 10 years?

The future is unknown; however, Jamberoo has the potential to deliver an experience comparable with the best water parks in the world.

Name: Noel Dempsey

Title: Chief Operating Officer (Macquarie Leisure) [now Dreamworld/WhiteWater World CEO]

How has attendance been this season?

In the year to June 2008, attendance to Dreamworld was up 3.8 per cent to 1.421 million visitors -- a solid result given the abnormally long and very wet tourist season that impacted the peak holiday period at the start of 2008. WhiteWater World also showed robust growth and for the six-month comparative period ending June 30, 2008, attendance grew by 9.3 per cent (note: can only compare six months given WWW opened in December 2006). Among this, the short drive market grew 7 per cent, while international markets grew 47.2 per cent, albeit off a smaller base, with solid performances from the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and Japan. With respect to the results issued this Monday, DW and WWW have continued to deliver solid growth despite a global financial crisis. In the recent quarter 2008/2009, 370,566 visitors went through the turnstiles at Dreamworld -- up 5.4 per cent with first quarter revenue up 2.2 per cent to $23.7 million over the previous corresponding period.

Do the parks currently have plans for any new attractions within the next few years? If so, what type(s)?

We've just come off the back of launching a $60 million water park, a $10 million moto-coaster thrill ride and a SpongeBob FlyPants ride aimed at the pre-teen market. Our immediate focus this season is to drive visitors to The Mummy -- a walk through scare attraction that opened in September and is designed to reflect the look and feel of the third instalment of the popular The Mummy series. In the two months since opening, visitation has been extremely strong, with guests claiming that it is definitely the scariest thing they've experienced. Over the past five - eight years, our strategy has been to align with brands that have massive appeal and cut through with different demographic segments (i.e. Wiggles World for toddlers, Nickelodeon Central for “tweens” and Mick Doohan for thrill seeker). Looking forward, we will continue to seek opportunities to bring rides and attractions that are themed and associated with popular characters and heroes to the Australian public. We are also looking to breed our Bengal Tigers which have massive appeal with all demographic groups and to begin Phase Two of the water park.

Do you feel the current financial problems facing Australia will affect business for the parks?

There are two arguments here: On one hand, a decline in discretionary spend can eat into available funds for leisure activities, while on the other, the recent soft dollar and the high fuel surcharges may divert mid and long haul holiday plans back to the local market. What we have seen in the USA with the concept of the “staycation” whereby the consumer holidays in their own backyard may well happen here -- and that bears well for us given that almost 40 per cent of our gate comes from a 90-minute drive radius. Also, what you will find is that in tough times, hero brands tend to survive. Dreamworld has been entertaining local and international guests for 27 years and is well regarded as a market leader.

What particular aspects of the park do you prioritise the most to ensure that guests get the most out of their day?

We are the only theme park in the country with both a wet park and a dry park experience located within footsteps of each other via an internal gate. Whereas, theme park visitors would traditionally need to choose a single dimension experience, they now have the convenience to tailor their own adventure and move freely between two parks in one day; that means they can get drenched on some of the hottest waterslides on the planet at WhiteWater World and then get dry on Dreamworld's legendary Big Six thrill rides, as many times as they like. It has been really interesting to observe how different segments now use the parks. For example, teenagers will go full throttle, taking on the Big Six thrill rides at Dreamworld in the morning and then head over to the water park to chill out for the afternoon while children aged eight - 12 will explore Nickelodeon in Dreamworld and then target Nickelodeon Pipeline Plunge at WhiteWater World. These kids go backwards and forwards all day long -- dragging their parents along for the ride. Then you have our real littlies who can't get enough of Wiggles World and Wiggle Bay -- any kind of wiggly fun! WhiteWater World has also redefined what a water park means to people. When shaping WhiteWater World, the goal was to appeal to a broader theme park market ranging from toddlers through to grandparents to provide a “new world of water” where guests can choose their own adventure and thrill level against the backdrop of entertainment and learning partnerships with The Wiggles, Nickelodeon and Surf Life Saving.

Do you feel you are under pressure to increase Dreamworld's/WhiteWater World's green credentials and how are you doing this?

Most people have visions of thrills and spills when they think of Dreamworld and White Water World. But behind the colourful gates are two parks with a giant heart, actively committed to environmental conservation and now sustainability. Dreamworld and WhiteWater World is the first theme park globally to sign up for Green Globe accreditation and since July 2008, we have been recording and monitoring our environmental footprint in terms of water and energy consumption and waste production. With that information now in hand, we are embarking on the second phase: coming up with strategies to reduce our footprint and move closer to long term environmental sustainability. It's a long journey and we have only just started, but we will run an internal campaign to get all team members on board. WhiteWater World takes a proactive approach to environmental sustainability, using cutting edge technology to improve performance and implement world class water conservation initiatives. The park's approach to conservation is about finding the balance between preserving the important role WhiteWater World will play in providing an entertainment and leisure experience to South East Queensland and preserving the region's water supplies.

Where do you see the park in ten years?

In 1981, Dreamworld's founder, John Longhurst, purchased 85 hectares of land. In the 27 years since, we've created (and sometimes recreated) more than 40 rides and attractions to become the ultimate entertainment precinct in Australia. There are still 50 hectares of land remaining so the future for us is very bright.

Name: Mary Stuart

Title: Executive Director (Luna Park Melbourne)

How has attendance been this season?

Our season commences in spring with our summer opening times. Last season attendances were less than expected due primarily to poor weather conditions.

Do the parks currently have plans for any new attractions within the next few years? If so, what type(s)?

Yes, we do have a plan for a new attraction for this coming summer. We have introduced a number of new attractions over the last couple of years for both summer and winter and we do plan to introduce a new attraction for this coming summer. We have not finalized plans beyond the coming summer period. We are not announcing publically the new attraction until closer to the opening of the attraction. We have previously held a media event to launch the new summer attraction in 2007 and 2006. We have not yet decided if we will do the same for this summer but that is a possibility.

What other theme parks (if any) do you feel are the biggest competitors to Luna Park Melbourne?

The Queensland theme parks are competitors to Luna Park however LP is not a theme park. It is an historic amusement park and hold a special place in the heart of Melbourne and in the fabric of the life of the city. There are other attractions in Melbourne and environs that have appeal to families and provide family entertainment but there is nothing else like Luna Park with it rich mixture of history memories and fun that spans generations of Melbournians.

Do you feel Luna Park will ever enter the same league as the larger Gold Coast parks?

I don't think we are nor do we want to be in the league of the larger Gold coast parks. For a start we are not large but rather we are small. The Queensland parks are different to us and we are different to them. I don't think it is a matter for comparisons but rather to recognize that they are fantastic and so are we. And so is Sydney's Luna Park. We don't have huge spaces and Queensland weather. We are small and special -- a little treasure that is unique . The Queensland parks will have to wait 100 years to grow their own history and I look forward to them doing this. They will developing traditions and their own culture and will grow a place in the fabric of the country as Luna Park has.

Do you feel you are under pressure to increase Luna Park's green credentials and how are you doing this?

I would not describe it as a pressure. It is a consciousness that climate change and looking after the resources of the planet are important things to do for the future. They are important things to do for Luna Park and they are important things to do in our own lives. I think the community wants us to have this consciousness. Luna Park has done commissioned an energy audit to identify areas that we can improve regarding energy efficiency measures. The energy audit has identified that we have a very energy efficient low voltage lighting on the Scenic Railway. As well it has identified the Scenic Railway itself as being exceptionally energy efficient for a roller coaster. The Scenic Railway is the icon ride at Luna Park and it one of the greenest ride in the country as it primarily operated on gravity.

Where do you see the park in 10 years?

In 10 years time I want to see the park continue as a special and unique amusement park. In 10 years time Luna Park will be 105 years old. This will be an amazing achievement and reflects the special place that Luna Park holds in the heart of Melbourne. In 10 years time I want to see the Scenic Railway continue to operate as the oldest continually operating wooden roller coaster with a ride on break person in the world. I want the Scenic Railway to still be on the list of one of the top eight roller coasters in the world! In 10 years time I want the 1913 carousel with its 1913 French organ (one of only five left in the world) playing and delighting generations of visitors to LP. In 10 years time I want to have implemented a number of new attractions and to have upgraded some facilities. In 10 years time I would like I would like to see some things that have been lost at LP reinstated such as the Giggle Palace.

Name: Renata Patniotis

Title: Marketing Manager (Adventure World)

Is Adventure World going to swing towards water rides or dry attractions for the future?

Adventure World has always aimed to maintain a balance of water attractions and dry rides. Our recent focus however, has been on water rides, based on market research conducted over the last three to four years and guest feedback received.

Is the park looking at a thrill ride as their next attraction(s)?

Thrill rides are always popular with the guests, especially the teens and is definitely one of the options we are considering for the next year or two. A high-end thrill ride is likely to feature in our three year plan. At this stage we are still conducting market research to establish the most appropriate ride to effectively capture the market.

What market/age group is most important to Adventure World -- and why?

Adventure World really does have something for everyone! We cater for all age groups with the various rides and attractions. Kids Cove is targeted at the youngest members of the family, with rides such as Dragon Express, The Barnacle and Little Leaper. There are thrill rides for the teens and willing adults, which include the PowerSurge, The Rampage and Tunnel of Terror and then rides for the entire family to enjoy, such as The Shotgun, Grand Prix Raceway and Koala Kingdom. There are also a large range of food and drinks available as a pit stop at Burger Bar, Surf Shack and the fully licensed Caruso Cafe.

Will entry prices rise anytime soon?

Entry prices rise in response to increased operating costs such as labour, ride and park maintenance and introduction of new rides and attractions. Adventure World provides economical Adventure Passes for family admissions to assist in reducing entry costs also. The great news is that guests pay one entry fee and then they ride for free, which isn't the case for places such as the Royal Show, where an admission is charged but each ride attracts a cost also. At Adventure World, you have access to all the best thrill rides, waterslides and Wildlife Park at one low, all-inclusive admission price. Group Booking discounts are also available for twenty or more guests.

Where do you see the park in 10 years?

The park has experienced record growth over the last five years and we have no reason to believe that this trend won't continue.