Interview with Luna Park Melbourne's Executive Director

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Submitted by Ashley Irvine on Tuesday 5 August 2008 - 3:00pm

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.