FANS of Sugarworld’s water slides shut down in April hope their voices will be heard at a forum this weekend.
At least seven councillors, including Mayor Val Schier and Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt are expected to attend the forum, with electronic invitations sent to more than 12,000 people who have signed up to a "Save Sugarworld" Facebook page. Speakers include campaigner Raj Patel, who set up the page, and council representatives.
Forum organiser Lisa Robbie said she hoped the forum would clear up confusion around the water parks future, and give the community a chance to have its questions answered and voices heard, with much of the public discussion so far confined to Facebook.
Ms Robbie said many people wanted four slides operating again as soon as possible, and were concerned about the prospect of the park being closed for more than a year. Some were also keen to see new water features, such as a tip-bucket, installed.
"In the interim, I personally would like to see those grounds, the barbecue and the kiddie pools open – I’d hate to drive past ever day and see Sugarworld sitting there like a white elephant," she said
The council will ask consultants to present three costed options for the park’s future, including replacing the four closed slides and keeping the park’s existing configuration.
Area councillor Nancy Lanskey said replacing the slides exactly as they were may not be possible because the moulds used to build them no longer existed and safety standards had been changed since their installation.
Partially reopening the park before its completion could also be a challenge but would be looked at, Cr Lanskey said.
"If it’s possible to separate construction areas from picnic and wading areas, we would have to see if it’s feasible and negotiate with the lessee," she said.
The council is calling for quotes from consultants to conduct the study, which Cr Lanskey said should be complete within several months.
The open community forum is at 2pm, Sunday, at Sugarworld Gardens.
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