Fraser Coast Council closes 'unsafe' Torquay waterslide

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Fraser Coast Council closes ‘unsafe’ Torquay waterslide

March 24, 2015

Fraser Coast Regional Council safety inspectors have closed the waterslide at Torquay attraction Golf 'N' Games Waterslide due to safety concerns.

According to the Fraser Coast Chronicle, the enforcement notice handed to manager David Nava on Friday 13th March, citing "dangerous" waterslide structures in "urgent need of repair".

The waterslide is now closed until the owner of the land replaces all of the stairs, handrails, steel and timber components of the structures.

However Nava, who took over managing the business in December last year, said hundreds of thousands of dollars would need to be injected to replace the timber slide structure and, in a report in the Fraser Coast Chronicle, questioned how the Council could shut down his business after two inspections, claiming a council officer spent only minutes touring his facility to determine it was unsafe.

Nava said events at the attraction had been cancelled functions, adding “there's five staff out of work ... I've estimated about $5,000 will be lost."

However, Fraser Coast Councillor Stuart Taylor said the safety of the community was paramount, stating "I would rather make an error to shut it down than not make the error to shut it down and a life is lost.

"This is not about shutting down business, this is a safety concern."

Councillor Taylor said the investigation was launched after community members commented on the safety of the structure.

Click here to view the Golf 'N' Games Waterslide Facebook page.

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