Dreaming of warmer weather? An inflatable water park is on the cards for Canberra

Email Canberra Aqua Park proposal for inflatable water playground to develop Black Mountain Peninsula
Canberrans could have another way to enjoy Lake Burley Griffin this summer, if a proposal for an inflatable aqua park is approved.
A Victorian developer has submitted plans to overhaul the Black Mountain Peninsula waterfront with an artificial beach and a 1,600 square metre floating obstacle course.
Echoing Darwin's waterfront and South Bank in Brisbane, the Canberra Aqua Park development would also see a "crushed rock area for food vans", temporary shade structures along the shore line, artificial grass and a first aid area.
According to the proposal, the inflatable obstacle course would be anchored to the lake bed, where the water was 2 metres or deeper, and set up in an L-shape.
The proposed course included tunnels, bridges, runways, slides, a jumping pillow, slip waves and a swing tower.
"The multi-level challenge obstacles will provide hours of safe, entertaining and fun water activities for all Canberrans, visitors and tourists," the proposal read.
While there would be an admission cost for the new structure, the proposal plans do not disturb the current free fenced-off shallow swimming area.
If the plan was approved, Canberra Aqua Park could be up and running by November 2019.
And, if the park was deemed a success, things like outdoor showers could also be erected in the future.
The proposal also considered Weston Park in Yarralumla as a location, but Black Mountain Peninsula was ultimately chosen because of better water quality.
Black Mountain Peninsula has a lower record of closing because of bacteria and blue-green algae presence than Weston Park which, according to developers, was "further verification that Black Mountain's water quality is superior".
Black Mountain also has more public toilets, BBQ areas, parking spots and empty space for future expansion.
The proposed aqua park would only be operational during the warmer months, between November and April, and the structure would be packed up and stored during the off season.
National Capital Authority chief executive Sally Barnes said the proposal was open for public consultation.
"If community feedback on having this in the lake is positive, and the community says to us we've covered off on all the main issues we need to look at, then we'd be giving works approval," she said.
Feedback can be submitted until June 3, 2019.
Contact Kate Midena

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