ACT Government faces criticism over Big Splash lease dispute

The ACT Government is facing public backlash following a controversial attempt by the leaseholders of the Big Splash water park in Macquarie to avoid lease cancellation. To comply with a November 1 deadline requiring the site to function as either an aquatic center or an unlicensed family restaurant, owners established a makeshift food stall consisting of a marquee, a domestic barbecue, plastic furniture, and a single portable toilet.

ACT Attorney-General Tara Cheyne stated that current laws prevent the government from acquiring the site despite the public outcry regarding the inadequate setup. While the pop-up restaurant, operated by Wukong Street Food, received approval from Access Canberra, local residents and officials have condemned the arrangement as a cynical box-ticking exercise. Critics argue the temporary stall does not constitute a legitimate restaurant and that the government has failed to enforce maintenance and security orders for the derelict facility, which has been decaying since early 2024.