‘Killjoys’ knock back carousel plan again, says Jerry Schwartz
Plans for a boutique carousel at Rydges Newcastle have been knocked back for a second time, leaving hotelier Jerry Schwartz “very disappointed” by the council’s decision.
The Schwartz Family Company had hoped to install a seven-metre-wide, 6.5-metre-high carousel exclusively for hotel guests in the waterfront garden area of the hotel, which overlooks Newcastle Harbour. The proposed $25,000 ride was part of a broader effort to reposition the hotel for family travellers.
But Newcastle Council rejected the plan, citing concerns over urban design, visual amenity, and the character of the area, which falls within the Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Area.
“In its locality the carousel will be highly visible from the public domain, where foreshore views and streetscape character should be maintained through the conscientious design of buildings and ancillary structures,” said City of Newcastle’s principal development officer (planning), William Toose.
“The form, scale, and appearance of the structure are not sympathetic to the setting and will detract from the qualities of natural and built environment, while providing minimal public benefit.”
Council said such prominent structures are typically public initiatives designed for broad accessibility and public interest—not private hotel guests.
Schwartz argued the concept was modest in comparison to attractions in major cities.
“These were cities that understood the value of adding family-friendly facilities for visitors,” he said. “What we proposed for the area outside the Rydges was far more modest.”
“There is less business travel and more family travel and the city needs to respond to these changes in travel trends,” he added.
The original plan, submitted in 2023, was also rejected. Schwartz said changes were made in response to feedback and hoped the updated proposal would have been approved.
“We were more than happy to make concessions and make the carousel fit in with the location as harmoniously as possible,” he said.
Jonathan Jackson, 7th August 2025
