COMMUNITY ASSETS & INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE – $5 MILLION & UNDER

YARRA RANGES SHIRE COUNCIL RECREATION, PROJECTS AND PARKS TEAM

Warburton Water World

Warburton Water World brings to life the community’s vision for a place that families and the community can gather and recreate which includes a regional level play space, water play park, and event space in one. As a project with a 10-year lifespan from concept to delivery, the rebuild involved a collective of council staff, community members, and consultants on a collaborative journey.

The closure of the previous outdoor pool was the catalyst for a renewal of the space. Where the initial outdoor pool saw between 4,000 and 6,000 visitors for an entire season, the new venue is now seeing this number of visitors on peak summer days alone, and from all over Melbourne.

As the only regional play space in the area and its placement adjacent to the Yarra River and alongside amenities and hospitality like caravan parks, the project has created a popular destination for inbound tourists. The associated economic benefits of these shortstay visits have been significant, helping local businesses recover from the impacts of the pandemic.