Technical glitch shuts Melbourne wheel
Melbourne's troubled observation wheel has been shut down again, just weeks after it re-opened to the public.
A software problem on Friday has caused the Melbourne Star to temporarily close, with the operator suspending rides this afternoon while crews work to solve the glitch.
"Our Technical Services team are undertaking a comprehensive investigation to identify and correct the issue and we are expecting to resume operations later today," the wheel's operators said in a statement.
"Melbourne Star is very sorry for any inconvenience caused to guests."
The $100 million Docklands attraction re-opened in December, almost five years after it was forced to close because of structural defects.
The wheel's chief executive, Chris Kelly, insisted in December the wheel is not a rebuild of the troubled former wheel, but a completely new wheel.
Just days after it reopened one of the big wheel's 21 cabins was taken out of service while Victoria's workplace safety authority investigated a safety complaint.
The wheel is expected to start turning again later today.