PolySoft has a whale of a time at Hervey Bay

“Further considerations were cost effectiveness through longevity by being able to extend the timeframes between replacement projects, “says PolySoft installer Garry McIntosh of Super Surfaces. And PolySoft was also ideally suited to the custom design of the park, which incorporates, “large Hump Back Whale representations in line with the tourism draw card for the area”.

The refurbishment was carried out in two phases, over to Queensland-winter shut-down periods. It required large installation crews because of the hand towelling of PolySoft bead compound around hundreds of water jets: for example, 150 4mm-diameter jets in the Totside area had to be blocked off, relocated and returned to operation after installation. Maintaining the scale of whale designs over the vast – 1000 m² – means spray pad with its 300 water jet was also a challenge.

The Dump n Bucket area, says McIntosh, presented dual challenges of “providing Aquatic Impact Attenuation Surfacing that will be capable of withstanding the effects of hydrostatic pressurisation while still complying with Australian soft-fall industry standards”.

But the results are vibrant, slip resistant, follow entertaining undulations, and so far tick all the boxes for local families, tourists, school groups and parties who spend hours at a time splashing about, or evenings enjoying the park’s light show of colourful water jets.