Tara Cheyne Backtracks on Big Splash Pool Reopening Commitment
Canberra minister faces scrutiny after claiming pool reopening was a mandatory lease condition.
1Ministerial Statement Under Scrutiny
City Services Minister Tara Cheyne faced intense questioning during a Legislative Assembly inquiry regarding the Big Splash waterpark. The controversy centers on her June 2026 assertion that reopening the 50-metre pool was a mandatory lease condition. Lawmakers are now challenging the accuracy of these public assurances given the site's current status.
2Public Promise Versus Reality
In June 2026, Minister Cheyne explicitly told the ABC that the pool must open, framing it as a requirement rather than an aspiration. However, the site remains closed to swimmers. During Wednesday's committee hearing, the minister admitted she may have misspoken, promising to review the full interview record before providing further clarification.
3Regulatory Shift in Strategy
Access Canberra initially signaled that leaseholders were required to reopen the pool by November 1, 2026. By September, the agency shifted its stance, determining that opening an unlicensed family restaurant on the premises would satisfy lease obligations. This pivot has fueled accusations that the government is protecting private commercial interests over public access.
4Freedom of Information Revelations
Documents released to Liberal MLA Peter Cain reveal that Access Canberra halted regulatory action against the owners after mortgagees decided to sell the site. An internal email from July 2026 noted that enforcement was paused to avoid negative consequences for the sellers, sparking concerns about the impartiality of the government's regulatory oversight.
5The Unlicensed Restaurant Solution
On November 1, 2026, the site owners bypassed the pool reopening by installing an outdoor street food vendor. Access Canberra officially approved this arrangement, classifying the tent and barbecue setup as an unlicensed family restaurant. This interpretation allows the leaseholder to remain compliant with the site's permitted uses without restoring aquatic facilities.
6History of Site Neglect
Translink Management Group acquired the lease in 2021, but the waterpark has remained closed since March 2024. The facility has suffered from significant vandalism and physical disrepair during this period of inactivity. Private lenders eventually repossessed the site in January 2026, leading to the current unsuccessful attempts to market the property.
7Failed Redevelopment Ambitions
Consultants acting for the mortgagees previously engaged in plans to redevelop the entire site into a hotel or motel facility. This proposal included an indoor 25-metre pool, which would have replaced the original outdoor infrastructure. These development ambitions have not materialized, leaving the community without access to the site for two consecutive summers.
8Opposition Demands Full Transparency
MLA Peter Cain argued that the public deserves a complete account of how these regulatory decisions were reached. He emphasized that the government made clear public assurances that it could not ultimately enforce. The opposition is now demanding to know what specific advice the minister relied upon when making her original public statements.
9Ongoing Accountability Questions
The inquiry highlights broader concerns regarding government transparency and the enforcement of commercial lease agreements. As the minister prepares to report back to the committee, the case serves as a reminder of the friction between political rhetoric and administrative reality. Residents continue to wait for a definitive resolution regarding the site's future usage.
Original article: Canberra Times — Tara Cheyne Backtracks on Big Splash Pool Reopening Commitment