The Big Splash site today with the Notice of Possession on the fence. Photos: Ian Bushnell.
News that the Big Splash Waterpark site in Macquarie had been repossessed by its lenders has prompted a wave of calls for the ACT Government to ensure that any new owner abides by the recreational zoning and any redevelopment aligns with community expectations.
But the immediate fate of the site could be decided as early as this week if a deadline is not met, the government said.
The ACT Greens’ Jo Clay even called on the government to acquire the site itself to ensure a pool facility is maintained there, while the Canberra Liberals’ Leader Mark Parton said it must immediately seek clear assurances from whoever now controls the site about their intentions, including timelines, maintenance, and future operations.
Belconnen Community Council chair Lachlan Butler said the government needed to step up and be clear about its expectations for the site, whoever the owners may be.
Notices of Possession were posted on the Big Splash fence and gate, saying that the lenders – a number of companies, superannuation funds and a family trust – had taken possession of 2 Catchpole Street, Macquarie, from the owner, Translink Property Management Pty Ltd.
Sydney legal firm Kingston and Partners is handling the matter but has not responded to enquiries.
A government spokesperson said a deadline was looming this week that could see the site’s Crown lease terminated.
There were two Controlled Activity Orders on the property, and the deadline for Big Splash to resume operations as per the Crown lease purpose clause was Friday, 23 January.
“After this date, and if they fail to comply, further enforcement, including an Intention to Terminate the Crown lease may be issued,” the spokesperson said.
“There has been no formal transfer of the title.”
The government had contacted Kingston and Partners about the repossession notice.
The spokesperson said the government wanted to see an outcome that delivered community benefit.
“The proponent has the right to respond and comply with proposed regulatory action; that deadline is fast approaching,” the spokesperson said.
The government had no plans to rezone the site.
Translink, owned by Songnan (Morris) Huang, paid $7.5 million for the site in 2021, but it failed to reopen in November 2024 for the summer season due to the need for major upgrade works.
It has never reopened, and the site slid into neglect and vandalism, sparking a community campaign to save the facility.
The owner cited “significant vandalism” and the “escalating cost of repairing aging infrastructure” as reasons that reopening the waterpark was “prohibitive.”
Translink, or at least a spokesperson for the company, kept suggesting on social media that Big Splash would eventually reopen, even hiring local urban planning consultancy Purdon to engage with government and the community on proposals to redevelop the site, including some kind of water facility.
Purdon said in November that Translink wanted it to “develop a proposal that met its current [PRZ2 Restricted Access Recreation] zoning requirements, is financially sustainable, and retains recreational uses”.
Plans included a 25-metre indoor/outdoor pool and an outdoor splash park.
Sign of the times: there has been a strong community campaign to preserve a pool facility on the site.
Purdon said it became aware this morning that the Big Splash site was subject to a mortgagee‑in‑possession process.
“Purdon’s role has been limited to providing independent planning, communication and engagement services and advice on behalf of the site owner,” a spokesperson said.
“We are currently awaiting further information and will update the project webpage should any confirmed and community‑relevant details become available.”
Purdon said it remained committed to sharing accurate information and maintaining a professional, respectful approach with all parties involved.
“We are also open to working constructively with any new owners to support continuity, transparency and positive outcomes for the community,” the spokesperson said.
All locked up: the Big Splash gates on Catchpole Street.
Mr Parton said this was no longer a private matter and blamed government inaction for the current situation.
“This stopped being a private matter the moment a major community facility was left closed, vandalised and unusable for more than a year,” he said.
“The government has a duty to step in and act.”
Mr Parton said that lease and zoning conditions existed to protect community use, and that any future proposal must respect those conditions and prioritise community use.
Ms Clay said the government should have moved faster to address the situation, noting that it was clear from the start that there were serious site management issues.
“I’ve lost count of how many times I asked the ACT Government when they would start hard enforcement action, issue fines or consider a lease termination,” she said.
“But instead, the minister [Chris Steel] took a backseat and we watched the inevitable slowly unfold.”
Ms Clay said the government had allowed an iconic Canberra landmark to fall into ruin and the government must now step in to salvage the situation.
“Government ownership of the site is the safest pathway to ensure the community gets a pool on the site,” she said.
“It is imperative that this site be retained as a recreational area and I support the calls from Friends of Big Splash for a 50-metre pool and waterpark on the site. I’ve also heard good ideas for hydrotherapy and an indoor sports and recreation centre.
“There are many in our community calling for these options as part of a better planned use of the site and we’ve seen architect plans drawn up for such a facility. This is a key opportunity that the government must not miss.”
Mr Butler said the government needed to make clear to the new owners what its expectations were, given that the value of the land would depend on the zoning and what is allowable on the site.
“Hopefully, it’ll go to someone who has a genuine interest in operating a community facility if it is sold,” he said.
Mr Butler said the community would not be happy if the government allowed a change of zoning in order to maximise any potential tax revenue from the site.
He said it was important that community facilities be retained so Canberra could stay an enjoyable place to live.
“You’ve seen what happened with Woden down south with the pool there,” he said.
“From my understanding, SISAC [in Belconnen] only has to operate as a pool until the mid-30s, and then they [the owner, Viva Leisure] can do whatever they want with that site.”
