Dubbo residents are calling for either the Macquarie River or Burrendong Dam to be considered for a new water park.
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Investors from Queensland have approached Bathurst Council to possibly establish an inflatable water park by time summer rolls around at Chifley Dam.
The park would be similar to other aqua parks at Bli Bli and Coolum, owned by the same investors, and potentially include elements such as trampolines, climbing walls and slides.
Based on the proposed size and the popularity of the investors’ other parks, it is anticipated Bathurst Aqua Park could be used by an average of 200 people every hour.
The facility is not expected to impact any other water sports on the dam, such as boating and water skiing.
The investors have told council that Bathurst Aqua Park would be open between November 1 and March 31, when the weather is warmer.
But commentors on the Daily Liberal Facebook page had a different idea for the facility.
“Bring it to Dubbo,” wrote one person.
“We certainly need more entertainment in Dubbo for the kids, a man made beach to go with it would be a great idea!” another person wrote.
It would be a great drawcard for tourists, said one person.
While the majority of people were in favour of the facility coming to Dubbo, there were a few people on Facebook who didn’t completely support the idea.
“Maybe they need to focus on improving the quality of the water coming out of our taps before they think about a big water park. We’ve had bouts of E. coli and a tonne of calcium in our drinking water,” one comment said.
Another reader said they were against the idea as the fees and upkeep of the proposed water park would be too expensive.
“There’s not enough water out there now for the farmers,” one commentor said.
A development application has yet to be lodged for the proposed water park in Bathurst. Bathurst council said they were waiting on “a few agencies to get back to them for the green light”.
The inflatable water park is expected to cost between $500,000 and $600,000.