Stokes Hill Wharf water park expected to attract 300,000 visitors a year

ABOUT 300,000 visitors are expected to pass through the gates of a planned world-class Darwin water park each year

An artist’s renditions of the proposed wave pool site near Stokes Hill Wharf

ABOUT 300,000 visitors are expected to pass through the gates of a planned world-class Darwin water park each year.

The Government’s preferred location for the park is a 6ha parcel of land near Stokes Hill Wharf.

Expressions of interest are being sought from private companies keen to build the park.

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A feasibility study conducted by Pico Play and paid for by the NT Government found the venture would be commercially viable.

Pico Play project director Darren McLean said the company’s research found a world-class water park facility would be attractive to both residents and tourists.

It shows the market could support around 300,000 visitors a year.

The proposed wave pool site near Stokes Hill Wharf. Picture: Supplied

When the plan to build a “Bali-style water park” was announced by Chief Minister Michael Gunner in April last year, it came with a pledge of $500,000 of public money for a feasibility study.

Next financial year, the Territory will put in another $1.15 million towards the private sector project.

But Mr McLean said the ongoing cost of the project would be borne by the park’s future owner.

“We believe the investment should be in the order of $50 million or more to have a financially sustainable waterpark that won’t require ongoing funding from the NT Government,” he said.

The land will be gifted to the successful tenderer by the NT Government.

Mr McLean said the value of the land had not yet been assessed.

The proposed wave pool concept

The Top End is chock-a-block with water parks already. Leanyer and Palmerston both have free waterslides.

There is a paid wave pool just a few hundred metres from the preferred site for the new facility.

But the Government believes the market is yet to reach saturation point.

Mr McLean said the new facility would “complement” the wave pool with opportunities for the two facilities to share ticketing.

The preferred site is contaminated with PFAS chemicals and will have to be remediated before work can begin.

Who will foot the bill for that remediation – the NT Government or the project proponent – will be subject to negotiations

. The preferred site is adjacent to an Aboriginal sacred site.

Larrakia Development Corporation chief executive Nigel Browne said they would continue to monitor the project to ensure the sacred site’s integrity.

Mr Gunner said the new park would give tourists a reason to stay in Darwin longer.

“This is about adding to the suite of things we have and adding to our experiences,” he said.

The Government is expected to choose a preferred tenderer by early 2019.