PLANS for a huge water park in Dingley Village have been approved by the state government. The “SurfnPlay” water park is proposed for 321 Old Dandenong Road. Plans for the $120 million development show a giant outdoor pool, and indoor water slides and playgrounds.
The plan was given the green light by the state government last week. In its published decision it wrote that the water park would boost the state’s economy and promote tourism. “The [planning scheme] amendment will allow for the use and development of the land for an aquatic park facility that will deliver considerable economic benefits in terms of direct investment, tourism and job creation, as well as a significant additional leisure and recreation resource for Victoria,” the planning decision read. “The proposed leisure and recreation use seeks to provide an offering that is presently absent from Metropolitan Melbourne in the form of a year-round, high quality indoor and outdoor surfing and aquatic park facility. The facility will provide a safe and healthy sport and recreation facility for families and surfers of all abilities and is expected to result in considerable net community benefit.
“The amendment is expected to facilitate a project which will benefit and strengthen Victoria’s competitive advantage in the tourism sector. This includes reducing escape expenditure interstate and internationally, supporting longer stays in Melbourne, and supporting further demand for local commercial, retail and commercial accommodation facilities and investment, through increased visitation to the area. The amendment is expected to encourage greater tourist expenditure in Victoria, noting that 767,000 visitations are expected in the first year; over a third of which are expected to be either interstate or international visitors.”
A statement published on the SurfnPlay Facebook page on Monday read that the new water park would be the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. “We are proud to share that SurfnPlay Aqua Park in Dingley Village is officially approved! Following the state government’s approval, we are now looking forward to making the southern hemisphere’s largest indoor-outdoor water park a reality, with its many waterslides, pools, play areas and outdoor lounge spaces for families set to add a major tourism attraction to Melbourne’s south east,” the statement read.
The state government estimated that the project would create nearly 300 ongoing jobs. It also estimates a little more than 300 jobs will be created during the construction phase.
The initial proposal was submitted to Kingston Council in March 2019. The state government gazetted the planning scheme amendment for the water park on 30 May.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 5th June 2024