A sign reading 'deep excavation' at Canberra's abandoned Big Splash water park has puzzled residents, days after authorities stated the site was undergoing cleanup. The new signage appeared on a second perimeter fence erected around the park's administration building, cafe, pump room, and bathrooms, while another fence secures the water slides. The development follows earlier sightings of construction workers digging trenches, fixing fences, and draining pools, prompting questions to Planning Minister Chris Steel about the site's future.
Big Splash has been owned by Translink Management Group since 2021, but private lenders took possession in January 2026. A Translink spokesperson said on April 3 that all activity relates to general cleanup and public safety, with excavation for detention ponds filtering drained pool water or preparing for a new security fence. However, former employee Fiona Robinson noted blue ground markings typically indicating underground works, recalling deep concrete foundations for the Speed Coaster and Twister slides.
The site, zoned PRZ2 (Restricted Access Recreation Zone), has not operated since summer 2023-2024, and owners previously expressed interest in building a hotel. On March 25, a site engineer from local construction firm ShevGroup was seen with the company's managing director. Minister Steel stated that nothing indicates the works are inconsistent with future use as a water park, assuming they are cleanup efforts. Access Canberra continues investigating the matter.
Earlier this year, the ACT Planning Authority threatened to cancel the lease due to breaches, with deadlines for owner responses passing. The latest update indicates ongoing discussions. Two 'Save Big Splash' signs and the original possession notice remain on the Catchpole Street fence. The Save Big Splash action group said Translink advised the deep excavation sign was placed in error and removed, with digging limited to vegetation management. The group demands government clarity on the lease status and independent verification of works, calling for an injunction against unverified activities and termination of the lease to return the site to public hands.
