Flying Trapeze Perth owner fires back at talk her business is no longer running

FLYING Trapeze Perth owner Nikki Gheysen has fired back in retaliation to suggestions her foreshore operation was no more, saying such talk was damaging for her business.

There was confusion recently when Mayor Russell Aubrey told a pro-wave park rally at Tompkins Park that the trapeze school “no longer functions”, but Mrs Gheysen wanted to be clear that it was.

“As long as the Melville Bowling Club is here then I’ll be here, I need to be told we are moving,” she said.

The trapeze school is located on part of the crown land that the State Government blocked the City of Melville to buy for the proposed wave park in Alfred Cove.

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Mr Aubrey said his statement to the rally had been interpreted incorrectly.

He said he had meant the situation was no longer working, given the wave park was stopped because the Government did not want crown land used for commercial purposes.

“They have a sub-lease with the MBC, who then pay the council $650 per year,” he said.

“It’s only a temporary arrangement, (Lands Minister) Ben Wyatt said the land should not be used by a commercial operation.”

Mrs Gheysen said the wave park saga had created uncertainty for her trapeze school.

“I’ve stayed quiet through the process, I’ve had my head down because running a small business is hard,” she said.

“As soon as I heard about the wave park, I contacted Urbnsurf because I thought it was a good sports hub and I was told there was no room.

“It’s been difficult running a business not knowing what the future will bring, it’s hard to plan ahead and offer a meaningful business plan.”

She had contemplated a move to quieter parts of nearby Tompkins Park, but was told there were too many stakeholders.

Mr Aubrey’s comments, made just weeks after the wave park decision, had come as a shock to her.

“I have met with him (Mr Aubrey) in 2016 to discuss what was potentially going to happen with the space and other options,” she said.

“He was really accommodating and supportive, then to watch a replay of his speech making claims that are absolutely untrue are damaging for my business and it’s a major concern for me.

“If someone says you are closed and you are actually operating then it gets a little misinformed. You are going to stand up and go ‘hang on a minute’ because it’s collateral damage.

“It’s like no one sees the business that is operating here, there’s been a flying trapeze on here for eight years.”