Westshell’s cyclone management plan allows for extended stay of ferris wheel on Cairns Esplanade

Ferris wheel operator Westshell has provided Cairns Regional Council with their extreme weather plans and as such has had their request approved for an operating extension of the Reef Eye attraction.

Under a revised agreement with Cairns Regional Council, the Reef Eye attraction will remain on the Esplanade until the end of May 2023.

At the end of June 2022, the Reef Eye returned to the Western Events Lawn and was due to cease operations at the end of the school holidays in January 2023.

However, as a result of strong patronage and strong support from local business, ferris wheel operator Westshell requested for an extension to the hire term.

More than 125,000 rides were recorded between June and October, with about 36% of customers were local, 19% were Queensland based, 33% were interstate visitors and 12% were international.

The ability of the company to operate the ferris wheel during the annual wet / cyclone season was a factor in Council limiting operations from June to the end of January.

Westshell has now provided a more detailed tropical cyclone and natural disaster management plan, which outlines emergency responses to extreme weather events, including cyclones and storm surge.

Due to the weight of the wheel, the structure should not need to be dismantled in the case of a severe weather event. If needed, the gondolas can be removed.

Should it be required, the plan specifies that the entire structure can be dismantled in less than 24 hours.

At the conclusion of the extended hire period, Council and Westall will review the viability of continuing with an 11-month operation period.