Bluewater Lagoon Mackay shut down from ‘serious structural issues’

On the eve of reopening the Bluewater Lagoon for the summer season the council has shut the gates citing ‘serious structural issues’.

Friends Taliah McLachlan and Max Shanks in the water at Bluewater Lagoon. Picture: File

Mackay families that had prepped their swimmers ready for the Bluewater Lagoon to reopen on the first day of spring will be bitterly disappointed.

Mackay Regional Council has announced it has shut the facility until further notice because of “serious structural issues”.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson at the opening of the new interactive play area at the Bluewater Lagoon in 2020. Picture: Zizi Averill

Mayor Greg Williamson said staff discovered the lagoon was losing significant water nearing the end of the annual winter shutdown with initial investigations showing damage to pipes.

“Added to that, when the water was drained to help with investigations, some other issues with the lining were identified,” Cr Williamson said.

“We are planning to use the in-house expertise of council’s Water Services team to examine the pipes in more detail using their CCTV pipe inspection cameras.

“At this stage, there is no date on when the Bluewater Lagoon will be reopened to the public as more investigations need to be carried out.”

As a peace offering, the council is providing free weekend entry to its Mackay Aquatic Recreation Centre until the lagoon reopens.

“We understand the inconvenience this closure will have on families, so we want to offer an alternative option where residents can cool down over the warmer months,” Cr Williamson said.

“The Mackay ARC has its inflatables on weekends, so this will provide some great family fun.”