RUMOURS ARDENT LEISURE IS LOOKING TO SELL DREAMWORLD

THE PARENT company of Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld is considering a sale of the struggling business to a Chinese investor, according to The Australian.

The report says Ardent Leisure had been looking to sell the park before the four tragic deaths on the park's Thunder River Rapids ride in October last year.

The Chinese company linked to Dreamworld is Songcheng Group, a Chinese tourism and entertainment company which announced last year they are planning on building their own theme park on the Gold Coast.

This rumour has circulated following the surprise demotion of Ardent Leisure CEO Deborah Thomas yesterday, who will be replaced by former Nine chief financial officer Simon Kelly.

The company confirmed yesterday that Thomas will stay on her $811,845 salary despite stepping down from the top job.

Thomas will retain this salary until Ardent Leisure's remuneration committee can meet in four months' time.

"Annual salary reviews are by the remuneration committee every August and as a director, Deborah's package will be reported and agreed as per ASX rules," the Company says.

Thomas will stay on at Ardent Leisure as chief operating officer and chief customer officer.

The former CEO's salary came under fire last year following the four tragic deaths at Dreamworld when a vote was held to award her performance rights just days after the accident.

Thomas has stated that the performance rights were donated to the families impacted by the accident.

Business News Australia