Dreamworld's Thunder River Rapids ride to be closed permanently
Dreamworld has announced the Thunder River Rapids ride will be closed and a permanent memorial will be built for the four people who were tragically killed there last month.
Ardent Leisure, which owns the Coomera theme park, announced the decision today, saying that the the ride will be demolished.
Canberra siblings Luke Dorsett and Kate Goodchild, as well as Mr Dorsett's partner Roozi Araghi and Sydney woman Cindy Low died last month when their raft flipped on to a conveyor belt.
"Out of respect for the memories of Cindy Low, Roozi Araghi, Kate Goodchild and Luke Dorsett, and their deeply affected families, the ride will be permanently decommissioned," the company said in a statement.
"The closure of the ride is the only respectful and appropriate course of action."
The statement said Ardent had extended an invitation to the victims' families to discuss a permanent memorial for the four, when they were ready.
No ride at the park will reopen until a comprehensive Workplace Health and Safety audit had been completed, the statement said.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate wants Dreamworld to get the OK of the families of the four victims before reopening the theme park.
"It's been a difficult time," he told Sky News.
"I'd leave that to the management of Dreamworld - they know what to do but I would ask that they talk to the families and get their OK on that."
The Gold Coast theme park has been closed ever since the accident and Dreamworld's CEO Craig Davidson is expected to deliver an update on when it may reopen at 1pm on Wednesday.
It comes as police on Monday handed back the site of the October 25 raft-ride accident to Dreamworld's owners.
A comprehensive Workplace Health and Safety audit of every ride at the park is also due to be completed before the park reopens.
Ms Goochild and Mr Dorsett were farewelled on Monday, the last of the victims' funerals.
Organisers of a fundraiser that for the victims' families have confirmed that the $200,000 raised so far will be made immediately available to help with funeral expenses.
Mr Tate encouraged people to continue to donate to the appeal.
"I'm happy but I'd say give it some more. You've got kids there who are going to be growing up without a parent," he said.
