Dreamworld uses millions in funding for koala research centre for rollercoaster

Dreamworld suggested a rollercoaster would better bolster international and local tourism, which had been impacted by Covid-19. Photo / Unsplash

Millions in funding for a koala research centre in Queensland has been redirected to build a rollercoaster.

Around $2.7 million (NZ$3 million) was initially earmarked for a state-of-the-art koala research facility at Dreamworld in 2019. The centre would have given visitors a look into scientific conservation methods used to protect the animals.

Instead, the money was used to build a Steel Taipan rollercoaster.

Gold Coast City Council councillor Hermann Vorster said taxpayers had been deceived.

"I think the government has helped Dreamworld build a ride but the taxpayer has been taken for a ride and unfortunately the koalas have become short-changed too," they said.

According to Tourism and innovation minister Stirling Hinchcliffe, the government approved a request to repurpose the money.

The theme park suggested a rollercoaster would better bolster international and local tourism, which had been impacted by Covid-19.

"Dreamworld acknowledges and thanks the Queensland government for permission to repurpose the grant in question for the building of Steel Taipan; an attraction offering tremendous benefit to the rebuilding of the tourism industry and to employment in Queensland," a Dreamworld spokesperson said.

Gold Coast City Council councillor Vorster said the justification wasn't adequate.

"I think it's ridiculous to be blaming COVID on this decision," he said.

"Koalas need our help yesterday, they need our help today and they'll always need our help tomorrow.

"The community should have had full transparency if the government changed their minds because maybe then people would change the government."

Dreamworld said the research centre project had not been cancelled but was simply on hold. and would continue to support conservation in the meantime.

"Dreamworld is committed to conservation and makes meaningful change via the Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation, which has raised over $3.5 million for animal conservation and continues to fund important conservation projects in Australia and internationally."