Community Rally to Save Belconnen's Big Splash Water Park Announced
A significant public meeting has been scheduled in Belconnen later this month, aiming to galvanise support for the restoration and reopening of the iconic Big Splash water park. The event, organised by the Save Big Splash community group, will take place on Thursday, February 19, from 6pm to 7.30pm.
Details of the Upcoming Public Meeting
The gathering will be held in the Fred Daly Room at the Belconnen Labor Club. Community members who wish to attend are encouraged to secure a free ticket through the online platform Humanitix. This meeting represents a crucial opportunity for residents to voice their support and learn more about the ongoing efforts to revive the aquatic facility.
Amelia Tattam, spokesperson for the Save Big Splash group, expressed enthusiasm about the growing momentum behind the campaign. "I think it's absolutely amazing," she remarked, highlighting that more than 3000 people have already signed a petition urging government action. The petition, launched by Ms Tattam and sponsored by Greens Ginninderra MLA Jo Clay, outlines clear demands for the site.
Key Demands and Political Support
The petition calls on the ACT government to take two primary actions:
- Terminate the Crown lease and restore public control over the Big Splash site.
- Commit to redeveloping the location with an aquatic facility at its core, featuring a 50-metre outdoor public swimming pool, open lawns, family-friendly water slides, and compatible community amenities.
Speakers at the February 19 meeting will include representatives from the Save Big Splash community group, ACT Independent Senator David Pocock, the ACT Coalition of Aquatic Pool Users and Urban Swimmers, and Ginninderra MLAs. Sport and Recreation Minister Yvette Berry has also been invited to participate, underscoring the political dimension of this community-led initiative.
Background and Current Status of the Site
Big Splash has been closed since 2024, when the owner disconnected phones, removed the website, and allowed the site to fall into disrepair. In a recent development, Access Canberra notified the current lessee, Translink Management Group, on January 30 that the Territory Planning Authority is considering terminating the lease due to a contravention of Chapter 12 of the Planning Act 2023.
The notice grants the lessee 15 working days to respond, with the possibility of an extension. This follows a missed deadline set by Access Canberra, which had required the lessee to reopen the water park by January 23 this year. The community's rally aims to capitalise on this regulatory scrutiny to push for a permanent solution that benefits the public.
The Save Big Splash campaign continues to build support, with the upcoming meeting serving as a focal point for collective action. Residents of Canberra are urged to attend and contribute to the effort to bring this beloved recreational facility back to life.
