Chris Steel knew in April of hotel plans for Big Splash site
A ministerial brief from April 24 shows Planning Minister Chris Steel knew the lessee planned a hotel.
Planning Minister Chris Steel received a briefing on April 24, 2026 about the Big Splash lessee's plans to build a hotel on the Macquarie site. The brief from Access Canberra showed the lessee, Translink Management Group, intended to reopen the 50-metre pool only temporarily while pursuing the larger development.
The same day, Mr Steel told a media conference the government's focus was reopening the pool as soon as possible. Mr Steel did not mention the hotel plans.
Translink Management Group said it would open the 50-metre pool on November 1, 2026. The government has since agreed the lessee cannot meet that deadline.
It commissioned a comprehensive options analysis instead, expected to take a year.
- April 24, 2026
- Brief date
- Translink Management Group
- Lessee
- November 1, 2026
- Pool reopening target
- Late 2027
- Planned construction start
Why it mattersReveals what the minister knew before public statements about the pool's future, raising questions about transparency around the site's plans.
AustraliaAffects Canberra residents waiting for a public swimming facility and shapes the debate over private versus government-owned aquatic centres.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 d ago
