Oddies Creek Park Splash Park

Project Overview

Neither Albury or Wodonga have a dedicated splash park or water play area that is free for community use. There are facilities associated with the swim centres however an entry fee is required. Other publicly accessible swimming opportunities include the Murray River and Lake Hume, however both the Murray River and Lake Hume present inherent safety risks for users that have resulted in drownings over the years.

Over recent years Council has carried out Citywide play space improvements. When promoting these new works the community have continually responded with requests for “a splash park or water play area”. Council has recently completed a review of the Murray River Experience Master Plan and undertaken a more detailed review of the Central Albury Riverside Parks area, which has identified the inclusion of a Splash Park as a high priority, with Oddies Creek Park identified as a suitable location for a splash park.

The Oddies Creek Splash Park project has been identified as one of the key signature projects identified within the Albury Wodonga Regional Projects initiative, which is collaboration of Federal, State and local governments.

Project Benefits

• Opportunity for all ages (targeting young people) and abilities to enjoy free and safe water play
• Provide an opportunity for the community and users to the area to be active which improves the health and well-being
• First designated splash park in Albury and Wodonga
• Improved amenity, experience and liveability for local residents
• Retention and attraction of tourists

May 2026 Update

At the April Council meeting Council were provided with the detailed designs and project update on the Oddies Creek Park Splash Park. At that meeting Council resolved to:

1. receives and notes the contents of the report;
2. agrees to seek approval from government funding partners to defer commencement of the splash park for up to a 12-month period, noting current procurement uncertainties and volatility around pricing and material supply due to world fuel uncertainties.;
3. endorses a $5M allocation as the preferred option to construct Oddies Creek Park Splash Park project - to be included across the 2026-27 and 2027-28 Capital Program and Budgets;
4. includes an additional $100K in the operational budget towards the maintenance of the splash park following construction, likely from 2027-28 onwards; and
5. continues to undertake further investigations, including solar panels with battery storage and alternative water sources, which will offset ongoing operational costs for Oddies Creek Park Splash Park.

Design works continues to ensure the project is ready for construction tender advertising in early 2027.

Concept designs

The Oddies Creek Splash Park Concept design was endorsed by Council on 25 August 2025 for public exhibition. Following the exhibition period, we have reviewed all community feedback and are now refining the design to address the comments received and further progress the project.