After voting to shortlist a number of sites for the major tourist attraction last year upon the recommendation of Cr Bruce McLachlan, council has come back without a single appropriate location.
In a report back to councillors, staff stated “initial investigations undertaken by council staff have not been able to identify any appropriate locations”.
“Council staff will explore the option of an Expression of Interest to current industry and qualified parties both private and public to determine market and investment interest,” the report stated.
The announcement came as no surprise to the Coast Tourism Industry with many operators believing that council treats tourism development as “a joke”
The idea of a wave park on the coast has been circulating for several years and is included within the council’s Tourism Opportunity Plan, currently on exhibition.
Leading Coast developer Tony Denny revealed a vision for the Old Sydney Town site last year which included a smaller version of the historic theme park with a wave park next door.
Mr Denny was part of a syndicate negotiating to buy the 120ha site and invited council to join in through a submission by Cr McLachlan which involved council coughing up a meager $10m. After a brief discussion, council refused and the site was bought by World Culture Tourism Village.
The Old Sydney Town site will now become little more than a housing estate with a cursory tourist facility.
Cr McLachlan said “council was never going to be the builder of a wave park. It was always going to private enterprise,” he said.
Cr McLachlan said Melbourne developers Urbansurf, who are currently building Australia’s first surf park in Melbourne, was interested in building a park on the coast.
Cr Jilly Pilon also expressed support for a wave park idea, indicating another company Pico Pty Ltd had previously contacted councillors regarding a water theme park, looking at land at The Entrance and Mingara.
