Last time Kiama Council closed down Granties Maze at Foxground, it took 29 years for John Grant to have it reopened again.

“We were closed in 1986 and reopened in 2015,” he says.

“This time they have convinced the Court that I have dangerous rides.”

Mr Grant believes he has done everything that was asked of him, such as erecting 1.8m star post fences around some rides, and doesn’t understand why the L&E Court action he launched to fight Council’s concerns has ruled against him.

The sign says "Temporarily closed by Kiama Council"

“I have a great deal of empathy for Mr Grant, however it’s imperative that the court orders are met and the required development applications are received,” says Council’s CEO Jane Stroud.

“Council’s primary concern has always been that of public safety. We cannot waiver from our commitment to public safety.”

John Grant takes The Bugle on a tour of his bigger rides

Mr Grant says Safecover has had no issues when they have inspected the rides, which are maintained regularly.

“There have been no major injuries in seven years.”

His commitment to the park is unwavering, despite having to cope with the highway bypassing him (after he had to put in a $300,000 turning land) and the subsequent COVID closures.

A busy day brings 10-20 cars to the 30 acre property, with over 100 attractions apart from the maze – everything from pony rides and archery to Ninja Warrior Walls and small ride-on animals and vehicles.

The small numbers over a large space means the business has been run by Mr Grant and his wife, with holiday assistance from family, and that they have had to accompany visitors to the various rides they want to use around the grounds.

Some of the seventy small rides at Granties Maze, the largest ones of which are the only ones in Australia

He believes that Council is against him, given 400 conditions were placed on the DA needed for the 2015 reopening and the approval of his house (required for the DA) took seven years.

He reckons he has spent over $10 million on his dream over forty years, and isn’t ready to give up.

“I am going to fight it with everything at the L&EC.

“It is something I enjoy and the kids absolutely love it.

“Persistence always beats resistance and I will keep plugging at it,” he says, scoffing at the idea of retiring.