The owner of Big Splash Water Park in Canberra may face regulatory action if the facility does not reopen for the 2025-26 season. Despite ongoing concerns, it seems the owner might not need to fully restore the park’s iconic slides to satisfy lease obligations.
Planning Minister Chris Steel announced that the park’s owner has committed to reopening in mid-November. However, if Big Splash fails to open, Access Canberra could take action. Even if the park does open, City Services Minister Tara Cheyne indicated that the slides might remain closed due to their poor condition.
Structural Concerns and Compliance
Minister Cheyne highlighted safety concerns surrounding the slides, which have fallen into disrepair. “I’m expecting that’s probably not going to include the slides, just because of the state of disrepair that we’ve seen them in,” she stated, emphasizing the structural issues and safety risks involved.
Cheyne added that reopening the pool alone could meet the recreational facility requirements under the park’s Crown lease. “We should be able to have a public pool as a recreational facility back in Belconnen for summer,” she noted.
“Ultimately, my understanding is that if they are able to re-open with a pool as a recreational facility, that will bring them in compliance with the purpose use clause that’s in their Crown lease.”
Community Sentiment and Government Response
The water park, a beloved landmark in Canberra, has been missed by the community since its closure after the 2023-24 season. Vandals have since targeted the site, exacerbating its decline. Ms. Cheyne expressed nostalgia for the park, acknowledging its significance to local residents.
Despite the slides’ closure, Cheyne emphasized that the community’s primary desire is for a public pool. “Slides are great, but the thing that ultimately keeps you cool is being in the water,” she remarked.
Meanwhile, the ACT Greens have been advocating for the park’s reopening. Greens MLA Jo Clay has been in communication with the government, urging action to ensure the park’s availability for the upcoming summer.
“The Greens earlier this year called on the ACT government to take action and ensure Big Splash can reopen this summer and provide a great place for our community to gather, have fun and cool off during the heat,” said Jo Clay.
Historical Challenges and Future Prospects
Big Splash, owned by Translink Management Group Pty Ltd since 2021, has faced significant challenges under its current ownership. Previous owner Ron Watkins operated the park successfully for decades. The current owner, Songnan “Morris” Huang, cites maintenance issues as the cause for the park’s prolonged closure, yet little visible progress has been made.
In response to concerns about the site’s condition, a Controlled Activity Order was issued, mandating repairs to the fence and overall site maintenance. Access Canberra continues to monitor compliance with these directives.
Minister Steel acknowledged the government’s communication with the park’s owner, emphasizing the importance of site safety and compliance with lease conditions.
“Issues relating to access to the site and site safety have been raised with the owners. The lease requires the owners to maintain, repair and keep the premises in a condition to the satisfaction of the Territory Planning Authority,” Steel stated.
Looking Ahead
With a tentative reopening date set for mid-November, the community remains hopeful yet cautious. The potential for regulatory action looms if the park fails to meet its commitments. As the summer season approaches, Canberra residents eagerly await the return of their cherished water park.
Ms. Clay expressed optimism about the reopening while acknowledging the work still needed. “Big Splash still looks like it needs lots of work, so I’ll continue to chase information for the community and advocate on their behalf to keep Canberra’s only water park accessible and open for many summers to come,” she said.
Ultimately, the reopening of Big Splash represents more than just the return of a recreational facility; it symbolizes the community’s resilience and the enduring appeal of a local icon.
