Luis Feliu
Owners of a company wanting to erect a 325-metre-long water slide down a Tweed Heads street for a one-off event have been given the green light to lodge a plan, but with details of proposed insurance protection for nearby residents and property.
The ‘City Slider’ (pictured), to be set up on a date to be scheduled, will mean the closure of the hilly Boundary Street in Tweed Heads from 10am-10pm.
Around 5,000 people mostly young are expected to use the slide buying tickets ($29 online cost) for two-hour sessions. Spectators are also encouraged to take part in the entertainment described by the company as a ‘family orientated street party with no alcohol’.
A $10,000 donation is proposed to be given to Canteen, a charity helping children living with cancer, and their families would be admitted free for the day.
The street closure is expected to be all day from the eastern end of Boundary Street to Coral Street, which council staff say will impact on adjoining residents and traffic flows.
The City Slider website says the first such event in Australia was held in Launceston last month and was sold out weeks in advance and other sold-out events scheduled for Toowoomba, Hobart and Newcastle in coming months.
The company, staff have been told, has risk, emergency and crowd management plans and would use onsite toilets and change rooms.
During debate Cr Michael Armstrong said he was concerned about property damage and insurance to cover it and wanted more detailed information.
Cr Barry Longland said he expected council to show in-principle support and that the company would then supply the required information.
Cr Katie Milne said the slide ‘looked like a whole lot of fun’ but council needed the information such as insurance cover before encouraging the company.
Councillors unanimously supported the event while requesting further detail. (Cr Warren Polglase was absenttdue to illness).
