Dreamworld owner to pay USD2.5 million fine over 2016 fatal accident
Theme park operator Ardent Leisure was handed a $3.6 million ($2.5 million) fine over the 2016 fatal ride accident which claimed four lives.
The four riders died on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld in Queensland after their raft flipped over.
After a damning coroner’s verdict and charges filed by Queensland’s independent Work Health and Safety Prosecutor, Aaron Guilfoyle, Dreamworld faced three separate charges, and could have been fined a maximum of $4.5 million.
The company had pleaded guilty to the charges.
The coroner’s report found the park’s safety culture was ‘rudimentary at best’ and ‘frighteningly unsophisticated.’
"The failures of the defendant were not momentary," said Prosecutor Guilfoyle.
"The failures did not occur solely on the day of the incident, they were failures well before then, which led ultimately to what transpired. This is a rare case in which a penalty close to the available maximum is appropriate."
Ardent issued a statement with another apology.
"Ardent apologises unreservedly to the family and friends of Roozi Araghi, Luke Dorsett, Kate Goodchild and Cindy Low for the past failures of Dreamworld as identified by this prosecution."
"Ardent also apologises to all those who have been so deeply impacted by this tragedy," it said.
The company says it has ‘consulted extensively with industry’ to enhance its health and safety operational standards and training, including research of other highly regulated sectors such as aviation, mining, oil and gas.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Pacific editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026