Tallebudgera Inflatable fun park Jungle Float is legal by state, but illegal by council

An inflatable fun park operating in state waters on the Gold Coast has come under fire from council and residents after complaints about the ‘eye sore.’

Jungle Float at Tallebudgera has been causing issues between locals. Picture Glenn Hampson.

A JUNGLE themed inflatable fun park is making a big splash with thrillseeking swimmers wanting to cool off, but there is confusion over whether or not it is allowed to operate.

Tallebudgera Creek’s “Jungle Float”, an inflatable jungle gym moored in the water off Murlong Crescent, has been operational for little more than a month.

Burleigh Heads men Nick Phillips and Grant Anderson attained correct permits from the State Government, which controls the water, but do not have permits from the city council, which controls the land.

New aqua attraction at Tallebudgera Creek called JungleFloat, is a real hit with the kids. Picture Glenn Hampson.

Mr Phillips is arguing that the men do not use the land to run their business as they carry out all transactions either online or in cash on the float.

“It’s a state waterway and we have our operational certificates from the Maritime Safety Queensland,” he said.

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“All our operations take place on the water, none on council land.

“We’ve spent a year setting it up. It’s the first one to come to Queensland.

“Business has been solid. We’ve easily had 100 people a day.

Geronimo! Picture Glenn Hampson.

“But there are a few people who don’t like how it looks and so they are using this as an excuse to have us shut down.”

The Jungle Float is a floating water park moored about 15m from shore with trampolines, slides and swings for people to use to jump into the water. It operates from 9am to 4pm and will only be operational until the end of April. Users are charged $20 an hour.

The Gold Coast City Council confirmed it was investigating complaints.

Palm Beach and Tallebudgera councillor Daphne McDonald said she has also received complaints and agreed with angry residents.

“It might front on to water but Murlong Crescent is a residential area,” she said.

Councillor Daphne McDonald. Photo: Jerad Williams

“It’s a really highly used area already that’s stretched on its parking.

“This is just an added burden.

“There’s plenty of other places in the city that they can operate on.”

When the Bulletin went to observe Jungle Float, it was moored outside the Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park, east of a residential strip.

Online feedback had been predominantly positive, but critics had piped up on the Jungle Float Facebook page.

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The attraction could even stop kids from jumping off the bridge close by, residents say. Picture Glenn Hampson.

One man wrote: “On behalf of all the residence (sic) on Murlong Crescent please relocate to where you came from, the creek and parking is not big enough. You’re spoiling the natural beauty of the creek!”

Another said: “This piece of s--t is disgusting, it is a total bloody eye saw (sic), dangerous in the position it is in and needs to be removed asap. I for one would certainly not let my grandchildren use it. Someone will get seriously hurt sooner or later.”

Both men were contacted by the Bulletin for comment but did not respond.

However others said it was safer than the activities kids might otherwise engage in, such as jumping off the Tallebudgera bridge.

“It offers a very safe and controlled alternative to those who are jumping off the nearby bridge,” visitor Fenetta Phillips said.

“All aboard were having a great time.

“Had I been wearing my togs I would have had a go also and I’m in my late 60s.”

Mr Phillips said council had passed on that there had been complaints from locals, however could not specify about what exactly.