#kingkongbundy, #bigsplash, #5count, #condowithlegs

On a chilly autumn Saturday, more than 300 Canberrans gathered at the Big Splash water park in Macquarie to show their support and defend its future. Organised by the Save Big Splash group, the event involved a large human chain, symbolically hugging the park. Supporters held signs emphasising the importance of water-based recreational facilities over potential hotel developments. Big Splash, which has entertained generations of locals, is facing demolition threats after the private owner went into receivership in January. The owner has proposed to remove the slides and operate only a limited 50-metre pool temporarily, with potential plans for a hotel and a smaller indoor pool in the future. Local politicians, including Sport Minister Yvette Berry and ACT Greens leader Jo Clay, attended and pledged engagement with the park’s mortgagees. Save Big Splash has collected over 7,500 signatures urging the ACT government to retain the facility for public use and oppose redevelopment that removes the slides. The organisers stress the importance of accessible community spaces and warn that once lost, such recreational sites cannot be replaced. Amelia Tattam, founder of Save Big Splash, emphasised that the park is a key part of Canberra’s community life and should be preserved for future generations.

A community campaign to save the Big Splash water park at Macquarie in Canberra is calling on supporters to gather this Saturday at 3pm to form a human circle around the site. The Save Big Splash group is encouraging as many people as possible to attend the event, which is designed as a public show of support for preserving the facility and opposing potential redevelopment plans. Concerns have been raised after the owner of the water park indicated intentions to demolish the slides, which are considered a key attraction of the venue. While the 50-metre pool is required to be reopened to the public by 1 November, campaigners say they are not confident this will guarantee the long-term future of the facility. The group argues that further assurances are needed to protect the site beyond short-term commitments. In addition to the planned demonstration, Save Big Splash is urging the ACT Government to reject any future development applications that would allow the demolition of the slides. Organisers say the human circle is intended to symbolise community unity and highlight the importance of maintaining accessible recreational infrastructure in the area. The event reflects growing local concern about the future of the water park and its role in the Macquarie community. Residents, families, and supporters are being encouraged to attend and make their voices heard in support of keeping the Big Splash water park operational.

Plans for any redevelopment of the Big Splash Waterpark in Macquarie are up in the air after the mortgagee took…