# Big Splash Site Compliance Met Through Sunday-Only Restaurant Operation Lenders secure the Canberra water park site by fulfilling lease terms with weekly food service. - **Source:** [Canberra Times](https://www.canberratimes.com.au) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c01c58a3-67ba-4bb9-8ad9-d1a6f6d0e0a8 ## Lease Compliance Strategy The financiers of the Big Splash site have initiated a weekly Sunday food service to satisfy Crown lease requirements. Access Canberra confirmed that operating an unlicensed family restaurant fulfills the necessary conditions for the site. This move allows the lenders to maintain their legal interest in the property while avoiding potential lease termination. ## Safety and Site Remediation Lenders invested nearly $400,000 into essential site safety works following a controlled activity order. These efforts included installing new fencing, removing accumulated rubbish, and cleaning the property to mitigate risks of injury. The financiers prioritized these safety upgrades over legal disputes to protect the public from hazards at the vacant site. ## Financial Constraints of Lenders The lenders, who took possession after Translink Property Management defaulted on a loan, cite limited financial capacity. They explored reopening the 50-metre pool but found contractor quotes exceeded their budget. Consequently, they determined that full water park operations were not feasible for a business of their current size and financial standing. ## Regulatory Stance on Operations Access Canberra stated that the Crown lease permits an unlicensed family restaurant but does not mandate continuous daily operation. The regulator considered the site's overall compliance, including safety improvements and lease wording, when accepting the Sunday-only schedule. This decision provides a temporary resolution for the long-vacant Canberra water park facility. ## Background of the Site The Big Splash water park has remained closed to the public since March 2024, marking three consecutive summers of inactivity. During this period, the site suffered from vandalism and neglect while under the ownership of Translink Property Management. The current lenders took control after the owner failed to repay the outstanding loan. ## Public and Political Pressure Local community groups, including Save Big Splash, and the Greens party have advocated for government intervention. They propose that the ACT government should purchase the site to restore it as a public facility. Attorney-General Tara Cheyne expressed openness to the idea but emphasized the need for a detailed cost assessment first. ## Operational Timeline and Future The financiers have scheduled food vendor operations for every Sunday through December 13, 2026. They maintain that these efforts are constructive steps taken to preserve the security behind their loan. The lenders continue to seek legal and planning advice to navigate the complex requirements of the Crown lease and site management. ## Broader Economic Implications This situation highlights the challenges of managing distressed commercial assets in the ACT region. The lenders' actions reflect a balance between protecting investor savings and meeting stringent government safety standards. The future of the site remains uncertain as the government weighs the potential costs of public acquisition against private sector limitations. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9387294/access-canberra-approves-sunday-food-stall-at-big-splash-site/?src=rss — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._