ACT Government Takes First Step Towards Big Splash Water Park Resumption
The ACT government has initiated formal regulatory action that could lead to the resumption of the abandoned Big Splash water park in Macquarie. Access Canberra has notified the site's lessee that the Territory Planning Authority is considering terminating the Crown lease, marking the first concrete move toward bringing the facility back under public control.
Regulatory Process Underway
The City and Environment Directorate confirmed on Friday that it had issued a formal letter to the Big Splash water park lessee, notifying them of the potential lease termination. According to the regulatory framework, the lessee now has 15 working days to respond and provide reasons why their lease should not be terminated.
"This is now an active regulatory matter so no further information can be provided by Access Canberra at this stage. Updates will be provided to the community when appropriate as the matter progresses," the directorate stated in an official communication.
Failed Deadlines and Community Pressure
The water park's owner missed a crucial January 23 deadline to reopen the facility, which has been closed since the end of the 2023-24 summer season. This prolonged closure has sparked significant community frustration, with more than 2,100 people signing petitions demanding government intervention to restore the popular swimming and recreation site.
The Translink Management Group, headed by Songnan "Morris" Huang, has held the lease since 2021, during which time the water park has remained shuttered. The facility's troubles deepened recently when private lenders repossessed the site, with legal representation now handling matters but declining media commentary.
Political Responses and Government Position
The ACT Greens have welcomed the regulatory action while criticizing the timing. Greens deputy leader Jo Clay argued that the Labor government had authority to escalate action as early as March 2025, after the facility had been closed for twelve months.
"Without the sustained pressure from the community including two petitions, in parliament, and countless questions to the Planning Minister, the ACT Labor government would have sat back and watched Canberra's only waterpark become one for the history books," Clay stated.
Sport and Recreation Minister Yvette Berry acknowledged the government's potential role in such situations, noting that when private facilities fail to operate, public ownership may become necessary to serve community needs.
Development Context and Future Plans
The government has explicitly stated it has "no plans to rezone the site," despite early concept plans for a hotel and indoor pool being floated by the owner in December. The Legislative Assembly has previously voted against any proposed rezoning for the location.
In related developments, the ACT government this week committed to building a new Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool in Woden, near the planned redevelopment of the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre. This move appears to address broader community needs for aquatic facilities while the Big Splash situation remains unresolved.
The regulatory process now enters a critical phase as the lessee prepares their response to the termination notice, with the future of Canberra's only water park hanging in the balance.
