SPLASHDOWN
New ‘Bali style’ water park plan for CBD
MURMURS of a giant Darwin city water park have started to make waves.
A $500,000 feasibility study for a private sector-created facility similar to Bali’s famous Waterbom Park will be announced today as the NT Government ramps up its pledge to revitalise the CBD.
Jorja Smart, 4, who just moved to town from Sydney, said she would love to have slides and water cannons.
“I want a slide with lots of water and very high,” she said.
Her mum Trish Smart said: “They need something down here like that.
“They need something more than the wave pool and aimed toward the little kids.”
It’s understood the government would provide prime CBD land to facilitate development of a major Darwin water park amid a proposed lifestyle precinct created near the Darwin Waterfront.
The government is expected to announce a preferred CBD location today.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner said he was excited about the possible project.
“We have listened to business, who suggested this as an exciting private sector project, which government could help facilitate,” he said.
“It’s a significant project that would have flow-on tourism effects across the NT.
“A water park could create hundreds of local construction and ongoing jobs and be a huge drawcard for both locals and tourists — we want some-
thing with ‘ wow’ factor that creates excitement in the city.”
The idea for a Bali Waterbom-style water park in Darwin CBD was raised during the recent Economic Summit as a tourism and economic driver.
Waterbom is ranked No. 2 in Trip Adviser’s 2016 world’s best water parks.
Its feature rides include a “Euro Bungy” which catapults people 9m into the air, a water balloon cannon and “flowrider”, a 1.5m stationary wave.
It also boasts a handful of hardcore water slides — perfect for thrillseekers who want to cool off without danger from crocs and stingers.
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The fledgling water park idea is one part of the NT Government’s plans to attract private sector investment to create more jobs, attract tourists and boost the population.
The NT Government has pledged to fund and prioritise the projects over four years.
“As Australia’s northern capital, we need to have a mix of cultural and entertainment infrastructure that attracts and retains people to live here and also provides options for visiting tourists,” Mr Gunner said.
The government last week announced $100 million funding to revitalise Darwin CDB through measures including a Myilly Point museum on the old hospital site.