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A NSW fun park owner has admitted he left “unsafe” rides and attractions assembled despite being ordered to remove them.
Amateur fun park operator John Bruce Grant has been found in contempt by the NSW Land and Environment Court after he ignored court orders to dismantle specific attractions at Granties Maze at Foxground, near Kiama.
The amusement park features more than 80 rides and attractions connecting to its namesake hedge maze.
There have been no accidents at the park and Mr Grant has not been accused of any other wrongdoing relating to the fun park.
The park’s attractions included an archery range, bumper cars, giant slide, “ninja” wall, zorb water balls, hay ride and quad bike track.
After years of clashing with Kiama Municipal Council over development plans, the council won a legal bid in 2024 forcing Mr Grant to dismantle a slew of attractions.
Judge John Robson found Mr Grant not only failed to gain council approval before installing several attractions, but also found many were “unsafe”.
The court was told Mr Grant, aged in his seventies, was the sole operator.
Mr Grant was brought to court again when, nearly two years later, he had yet to disassemble the rides in question.
At a hearing last month, the court was told Mr Grant was visited by council on three occasion in 2025 to determine if he had complied with the orders.
Photographs taken by a council worker showed the rides had not been dismantled, with further photographs depicting the “largely dilapidated condition” of various attractions, the court was told.
Mr Grant also told the worker he continued to advertise the rides and attractions on television.
The court was told Mr Grant was made aware of his responsibilities by the council on ample occasions.
The park operator, who represented himself in the proceedings, told the court the rides in question were not in use, but were his “property”.
He argued his actions were not “unlawful”, stating: “everything I’ve done I’ve asked council for permission”.
However, Mr Grant conceded he had not dismantled any of the rides as required and any disassembly was due to weather damage.
Judge Rachel Pepper handed down her decision on Friday, ruling there was “no doubt whatsoever” Mr Grant was guilty of contempt.
“He has failed to comply with the dismantling order,” she said.
“The photographic evidence is particularly compelling … many of the photographs showed the fencing surrounding some of the items … and, in some instances, made it clear that the attractions were surrounded by overgrown shrubbery or were not in usable condition.
“(However), the obligation on Grant was not only to cease using the identified attractions, it was to dismantle them. This has not occurred.”
Mr Grant will face court again on June 12, with his penalty to be determined at a later date.
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