Southern Queensland Country Tourism CEO Peter Homan says water park could convert ‘day trippers’ to overnight visitors to Toowoomba

The region’s peak tourism body has claimed a widely requested water park could increase Toowoomba’s appeal to a new era of visitors, as council says a park was not a priority in the coming decade.

A frequently demanded water park could bring thousands of dollars to the Toowoomba region, according to a peak tourism body for the region, despite council confirming a water park was not on the immediate horizon.

A water feature element was unveiled in the concept designs for the $65m Toowoomba Railways Parklands project, however Toowoomba Regional Council has said not only is it an “illustrative guide”, but could still be 30 years away.

Southern Queensland Country Tourism CEO Peter Homan said he was confused why Toowoomba was yet to receive a splash park, when remote locations such as Winton and Julia Creek have found success.

“We’ve heard over the years of exciting things that may come to town, like a rope course … but every child and every family in the world loves water,” he said.

“When Winton put their water park in, they were under no illusion they would bring people in because of it … but they knew it would keep people in town a night longer.

“100 per cent … why shouldn’t Toowoomba have one?”

Wetside Waterslide, Hervey Bay. Photo: Fraser Coast Regional Council.

TRC Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald told The Chronicle while the council was committed to delivering the parklands project, it must focus on more urgent upgrades first over the next decade.

“Council must give priority to community expectations for the delivery of our critical services and upgrades in the first instance,” Mr McDonald said.

These projects include dam safety upgrades, ongoing flood recovery works and the Mount Kynoch Water Treatment Plant upgrades.

However, Mr Homan said TRC should consider the actions of other councils.

The similar sized Fraser Coast region is home to two free water parks with 10,000 visitors recorded at Hervey Bay’s free-entry, $12m WetSide water park between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve.

Southern Queensland Country CEO Peter Homan backs a possible water park in Toowoomba, Tuesday, July 13, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“The water parks significantly add to the region’s unique attraction and lifestyle, proving popular with both residents and tourists,” Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said.

“WetSide in particular is a tourism drawcard, being regularly listed in the Wotif Top 10 Amusement Parks and Water Parks in Australia – taking first place at least twice.

“Council is keen to ensure we have a healthy and active community here on the Fraser Coast and facilities like WetSide and SplashSide help us to achieve that outcome.”

Toowoomba’s country cousins in Chinchilla have also enjoyed a water park in their community, part of $5.9m Botanic Parkland Project.

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio (left) and Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald have said a waterpark is not a crucial priority for the region in the coming decade. Monday, June 13, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Meanwhile, residents even further west in Charleville have been able to use a new splash park that opened on Australia Day 2023, which received $350k in governmental funding.

“This is a wonderful addition to our community, especially for your families,” Shire of Murweh Mayor Shaun Radnedge said.

“It’s a great place to meet and cool off for the kids and for parents to meet up and socialise.”

Mr Homan said the biggest barrier for Toowoomba tourism was that a majority of visitors were day-trippers who do not take advantage of the region’s accommodation.

“A water park will get people who are already in town to stay a little longer and partake, which is where you get the economic benefit when they inject on average $250 a night (per family) into the local economy,” he said.

“When you look at pools in general … they’ve got nothing really for a kid.

“It’s really not exciting for a seven or eight year old. But when they put a water park next to a pool, you get a lot of activation with the little ones.”

Wetside Water Park in Hervey Bay.

The tourism body have said they would “100 per cent” support a water park being installed in the region.

Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl was one of the key figures to push for the inclusion of the Toowoomba Railway Parklands project into the Southeast Queensland City Deal.

With the recent heatwave starting to dissipate, Mr Rohl said a water park “would have been nice when it was stinking hot”.

“We would support anything under the principal of activating the CBD,” he said.

“We know how successful (water parks are) in other locations.

“Isn’t it time? Residents deserve better don’t you think?”