A Bargara water-play facility will be further investigated as Bundaberg Regional Council calls for tenders to deliver a splash/water park with construction at no cost to ratepayers.
At this week’s Ordinary Meeting, Council resolved to seek interest in leasing part of Nielson Park, Bargara, via public tender, giving potential developers and operators the chance to put forward plans for a publicly accessible splash/water park.
Mayor Helen Blackburn said the decision represented the first step in a complex process and added it was simply an opportunity to see whether the community’s requests could be realised.
“This decision follows years of community interest in establishing a further water-based recreational facility in the region and gives the market an opportunity to demonstrate whether the project can be delivered without Council taking on capital or ongoing operating costs,” she said.
“While there has been some interest, there are no formal plans or proposals to share with the community.
“The current stage of the process, in calling for tenders, will determine market interest and to see what these proposals may look like.
“Any submission would need to meet Council’s requirements and what we believe reflects the community’s expectations – which would include important matters like tree retention – in order to proceed.
“There is still a process to work through, but this gives potential proponents the opportunity to come forward with a proposal and show us what they could deliver.”
An indicative lease area of up to 2.8 hectares has been identified at Nielson Park Reserve.
As Council is trustee of the land, a survey plan will be required to confirm the final lease area and lease reference.
The location already supports a range of recreational and community uses, including playgrounds, car parking and public infrastructure.
The tender will include a clear requirement that the site be used for the development and operation of a publicly accessible splash/water park.
Proposals that do not include a splash/water park will not be considered.
Mayor Blackburn said a mandatory tender requirement would also be the ability for the proposals to be managed under a Land Management Plan and, if any proposal was not consistent with the existing Land Management Plan, further community consultation would be carried out.
“The purpose of going to tender is to find out whether there is a suitable proposal that can deliver the facility the community wants,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“We also recognise there will be questions about how a development could fit within Nielson Park, including the existing vegetation and how the site would continue to be managed for the community.
“Those are matters that will need to be considered as part of the process, but also through any subsequent planning process.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what the market can offer and, ultimately, whether this long-held community wish can become a reality for Bargara.”
The proposed Trustee Lease would be for a maximum term of up to 30 years, subject to the requirements of the Land Act 1994.
