Goondiwindi Water Park could open tomorrow for first time in almost two years

The Goondiwindi Natural Heritage and Water Park could once again open to the public tomorrow afternoon. If opened, it will be the first time skiing will be permitted on the popular local waterway in nearly two years due to drought.

Goondiwindi Regional Council will coordinate a precautionary inspection of the waterway tomorrow morning, so residents may notice some boats out on the water at that time. If no apparent concerns are identified, Council will remove the barriers to allow access to the boat ramp from mid-afternoon on Thursday.

The water level at the Water Park is currently around 1.3 metres, and will increase as Council continues to pump water into the Park.

Councillor Lachlan Brennan holds Council’s lifestyle portfolio and said the Water Park’s pumps had not stopped since Council turned them on last Tuesday [23 March].

“We are very excited to be in a position where we can potentially open up the Water Park once again to Goondiwindi region residents and visitors,” Cr Brennan said.

“The Park holds about 1,500 megalitres, which is obviously just a phenomenal amount of water, so it’s taken some time to fill after last week’s rain,” he said. “We’ve had several enquiries from residents about why the manual gates weren’t opened last week to fill the Water Park - State rules govern Council’s access to that water, and they don’t permit us to open the gates during a major flood event. But, we have been consistently pumping into the Park as our allocation allows.”

The Water Park was closed due to low water levels in mid-2019. Council intends to continue to pump into the Park after it is opened, until the level reaches 1.9 metres or until the allocation is exhausted.

Council will announce the opening of the Water Park on its Facebook page - residents are encouraged to follow the page to keep updated: www.facebook.com/grcqld, Council’s website also features notifications about the status of key facilities such as the Goondiwindi Town Common: www.grc.qld.gov.au/news-events/news/notices

Cr Brennan said the Park’s potential opening could kick off a great Easter weekend on the water.

“We’ve already seen people back at Coolmunda Dam this week, making the most of the Goondiwindi region’s great outdoors and big backyard,” he said. “Obviously it will depend on any new directives from Queensland Health, but at the moment we’re on track to seeing people enjoying the Easter long weekend back out on the water here in Goondiwindi.

While Council will coordinate a precautionary inspection of the waterway before opening the Water Park, there is no guarantee of safety and anyone using the Park does so at their own risk. Users should familiarise themselves with the code of conduct and conditions of hire before entering the water – these are available either at the Water Park or online at: www.grc.qld.gov.au/visit/escape-to-nature/water-park

Council also encourages residents to stay informed with the latest advice directly from Queensland Health at: www.health.qld.gov.au and www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/urgent-covid-19-update