Zagame family pull out of $100 million Dingley Village water park
One of the two wealthy Melbourne family’s behind plans for a $100 million water park in the city’s south east has pulled out, but the remaining backers have just cleared an important milestone.
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One of the two wealthy Melbourne families behind a bid to build the largest indoor water park in the southern hemisphere has pulled out.
The Zagame family, who had partnered with well known construction and development operators the Pellicano family, are no longer involved in the $100 million project planned for Dingley Village in Melbourne’s south east.
It is understood they intend now to focus on their hospitality and hotel interests.
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However the Pellicano family, who own the almost 4ha Old Dandenong Rd site intended to become home to the massive attraction, are pushing ahead and have renamed the project from Zagame’s Wild Water Park to the Surfnplay Aqua Park.
Plans currently include a super-sized wave machine with room for four surfers, video-game like water tunnels where kids compete for high-scores, multistorey ziplines and water jet powered slides that propel thrillseekers uphill.
Despite the loss of a key backer the bid is progressing through planning processes.
It recently passed an environmental assessment that showed works at the site would not pose any risk to the endangered growling grass frog, swamp skink or eastern dwarf galaxias.
The Pellicano family said they expected to finalise plans for a new intersection with VicRoads and site drainage with Melbourne Water by September.
They will then revert back to Kingston City Council for the next phase of town planning.
Pellicano boss Nando Pellicano has previously told the Herald Sun it would take two years to build once approved.
The Herald Sun understands the Zagame family’s decision was influenced by COVID-19.
The Zagame Corporation operates a range of hospitality interests across Australia, including Zagame’s restaurants and MPD Steak Kitchen. It also operates hotels including the Grand Hotel and Casino in Vanuatu.
The landmark development is expected to generate a wave of new jobs including 1184 ongoing full-time jobs once it is up and running, as well as 260 construction jobs once approved.
Canadian water park specialists WhiteWater West will oversee the installation of the rides, however it is expected the work will be completed by locally employed contractors.
Plans for the massive water park include 18,200sq m of indoor space and a further 20,000sq m outside in a bid to lure theme park tourists away from the Gold Coast.
In addition to adrenaline pumping slides and attractions it will also feature a 423m ‘lazy river’ for park visitors to float through the complex, including beneath a giant freshwater aquarium.
The water park’s vision has been steered by award-winning architects Peddle Thorpe, who designed Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre as well as the Melbourne Aquarium.