Big Splash Waterpark Owner Faces Regulatory Action After Missing Critical Deadline
The owner of Canberra's Big Splash waterpark has failed to meet a crucial government deadline to reopen the Macquarie aquatic facility, setting the stage for potential fines exceeding $48,000 or even termination of the site's lease. The deadline passed at midnight on Friday, January 23, leaving the vandalised grounds, abandoned offices, and empty swimming pools as stark evidence that the required reopening would not occur.
Legal Standing Established for Government Action
With the deadline now officially missed, Access Canberra has gained the legal authority to pursue regulatory action against the waterpark's owner. The facility has been operated under lease by the Translink Management Group since 2021, with Songnan "Morris" Huang at the helm. However, in a recent development, the beleaguered site has been repossessed by a group of private lenders, who are now represented by a Sydney law firm that has declined media comment.
Planning and Sustainable Development Minister Chris Steel confirmed in a statement that action would be taken against Big Splash's owner, though the specific nature of that action will not be revealed until next week. "I can now confirm Access Canberra is pursuing regulatory action, on behalf of the Territory Planning Authority, following the failure to comply with controlled activity orders issued last year," Mr Steel stated.
Substantial Orders and Potential Consequences
The regulatory action stems from two significant controlled activity orders:
- Making the site safe and maintaining fence condition
- Failing to use the land for its lease purpose as an aquatic facility
Mr Steel emphasised that "the consequences under the law for failing to comply with the controlled activity orders can be significant, and may include penalties of more than $48,000 or lease termination." Access Canberra has committed to providing a detailed statement to the community next week regarding their decision on further regulatory steps.
Community Disappointment and Advocacy
The timing of this regulatory action coincides with Canberra's forecasted extreme heat, with temperatures expected to reach up to 42 degrees next week while one of the city's most popular aquatic facilities remains abandoned. Big Splash has been closed since 2024 when the owner disconnected phones, removed the website, and allowed the site to deteriorate.
A newly formed community group called Save Big Splash is urging the ACT government to terminate the Crown lease and commit to redeveloping the site as part of a broader sports and recreation precinct. Their vision includes an aquatic facility featuring slides and a 50-metre pool at its core. "This is about protecting a community asset and investing in the health, safety, and wellbeing of current and future generations," the group asserted. "Young people need access to public spaces that support healthy, active lives."
Government Position and Future Considerations
While expressing understanding of community disappointment, Minister Steel noted that "the government has the same expectation that the public aquatic facilities are open to use in Macquarie." He revealed that "the government is exploring additional options to deliver a positive outcome, but will await the outcome of Access Canberra's decision next week."
This situation unfolds under the new Planning Act, which established enhanced powers for the Territory Planning Authority to enforce leases through controlled activity orders. These orders specifically address situations where land has not been used for its intended lease purpose for at least one continuous year.
In a broader regulatory context, Access Canberra has issued show cause notices to individual lessees at five different Canberra sites regarding their failure to meet development timeframes over extended periods. This indicates a more comprehensive approach to lease enforcement across the territory.
