Media release: Water Park closed as health precaution
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4 January 2019
The Goondiwindi Natural Heritage and Water Park will be closed from this afternoon until further notice.
Council made the decision to close the park as a precaution against potential health risks from deteriorating water quality.
Lack of rain has caused a decline in the park’s water quality and a number of fish in the park have died as a result. Council asks residents and visitors to respect the closure and to avoid contact with affected fish.
Goondiwindi Regional Council Director of Community and Corporate Services Jason Quinnell said the affected fish were part of a natural cycle and that, while there are no immediate hazards, Council was taking every action to eliminate any risk of injury or illness to park users.
‘We’ve asked that people avoid swimming and wading in the park but there was still a concern that users could come into contact with the fish from near the water’s edge,’ Mr Quinnell said.
‘There was also concern that dogs walked in the park could drink from the water, following reports of an unconfirmed algal bloom over the Christmas period,’ he said.
‘Although it’s an unfortunate decision to have to close the park, we are lucky to have so many other beautiful and well-maintained parks across the region.’
Park users are advised that alternative recreation facilities are available at the Town Park, Redmond Park, Lions Park and others. A full list of parks in our region can be viewed at www.grc.qld.gov.au/parks.
Council staff have been working over the past three days to remove the affected fish from the park. A mesh barrier has been erected across the water to act as a debris boom and to prevent affected fish from being carried towards houses on the water park estate.
The Department of Environment and Queensland Health have been notified of the temporary closure.
For further information, please contact:
Jason Quinnell
Director of Community and Corporate Services
Goondiwindi Regional Council
Telephone: 074671 7402
E-mail: JQuinnell@grc.qld.gov.au