Frustration as parts of WetSide remain closed for school holidays

With parts of Hervey Bay’s popular waterpark closed, some are questioning why maintenance work wasn’t carried out during the cooler months.

Parts of WetSide Waterpark are closed during the school holidays.

The closure of parts of popular Hervey Bay waterpark WetSide has caused frustration among the community and visitors during the school holidays.

Water slides at the park were closed but reopened at the park on December 30, but TotSide remains closed for electrical maintenance, which includes the tipping bucket, small playground and smaller water slides.

A council spokesman confirmed TotSide would need to remain closed until the 2024/25 season due to the complexity of the work being carried out.

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On social media, Tiffany Audrey questioned why the waterpark wasn’t checked over and fixed before the school holidays.

Sam Lavender agreed, saying the council had the school term to do maintenance but had waited until school holidays and the busiest time of the year to do it.

Fraser Coast Regional Council director of strategy, community and development Gerard Carlyon said the main arena and Aqua Ninja were open.

Wetside waterpark, Hervey Bay. Picture: Fraser Coast Regional Council

“We appreciate that making these changes during summer will cause disappointment, but the safety of those attending and working at our aquatic facilities must be and is our highest priority,” he said.

“We apologise for the inconvenience and thank everyone for their patience as we work to ensure these fantastic facilities can be run as safely and effectively as possible.”

Maryborough Aquatic Centre has also been operating on reduced hours on weekends and Friday afternoons due to a staff shortage.

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Mr Carlyon said reducing hours at the Maryborough Aquatic Centre was “regrettable but necessary” to maintain appropriate safety and supervision standards.

“Like many organisations and businesses, council is facing recruitment challenges in this tight employment market,” he said.

“Just as restaurants and cafes have to reduce their hours if they don’t have enough staff, we also have to reduce hours at the facilities we run if we don’t have enough staff.”

Originally published as Frustration as parts of WetSide remain closed for school holidays