A proposal to establish a Jurassic Park-themed adventure centre, named Jurassic Falls, on the main street of Airlie Beach, Queensland, is causing a stir among local residents. The initiative is currently being reviewed by the Whitsunday Regional Council and intends to include an 18-hole mini-golf course, an arcade, a takeaway food outlet, and a waterfall feature.
Since the proposal was put forth, a petition has emerged calling for opposition to the development, highlighting concerns about its thematic concept and prominent location. Petition organiser Lara Kell stated that the development poses a threat to the unique character of Airlie Beach. While she acknowledges the need for more family-friendly attractions, her primary concern lies with the project’s design. The petition argues that the proposed oversized dinosaur features and waterfall would clash visually with the town’s natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere.
Critics have argued that the entrance to the development would be excessively large and intrusive, negatively impacting the aesthetics of the main street. They suggest that instead of a dinosaur theme, an alternative centred around the Great Barrier Reef might be more appropriate, embodying the local heritage. Other worries include increased traffic congestion and potential disruption to nearby taxi ranks and bus shelters.
On the other hand, the developers assert that the proposed dinosaurs would be “hyper-realistic animatronic models,” which they claim will be the first of their kind in Australia. They aim to integrate the project’s design with the existing natural environment to provide an immersive experience for visitors. The vision involves preserving native trees while creating a habitat for the dinosaurs, evoking a sense of wonder akin to a prehistoric era.
The owners of Jurassic Falls expressed that their motivation stems from a desire to create memorable family experiences, posing the initiative as an opportunity for children during their formative years. They defended their choice of location, noting that while other sites might be more suitable, they do not possess those properties.
Interestingly, Queensland is home to various dinosaur-themed attractions, including a dinosaur trail in the outback, and Jurassic Falls is not the first such project to face public resistance. Previous attempts, like Clive Palmer’s Palmersaurus, faced similar criticism regarding their impact on natural scenery.
As the deadline for public submissions regarding the Jurassic Falls application draws near on May 14, the Whitsunday Regional Council remains under pressure to consider community opinions before moving forward.