Bathurst Regional Council has tabled a concept plan for Stage 2 of the hugely popular playground that opened in Victoria Park in late 2009.

Councillors have agreed to engage park designer Ric McConaghy as the lead consultant to bring the project to reality.

They have has set aside $1.45 million in the draft 2015-16 management plan for Stage 2 of the Adventure Playground and ratepayers are now getting their first look at what that money might buy.

Initial design plans prepared by Mr McConaghy detail water features including a toddler play area, intermediate area, water cannons, water garden and an off-street car park.

The water park is to be built towards the northern end of Victoria Park, between the existing Adventure Playground and Mitre Street.

A report to councillors by engineering services director Doug Patterson said the water park, first mooted in 2011, will feature motifs related to Bathurst’s heritage.

“Essentially, the stage two works have been designed to incorporate a water playspace area as well as a play area for older children, incorporating the same theme as the existing site to ensure continuity,” Mr Patterson states in the report.

“The stage two design will also continue to be classified as all abilities access playspace and incorporate features representative of Bathurst’s heritage.

“For example, play elements are to include a parkour area in the form of Chifley Cottage, continuation of the dinosaur theme in water play areas and landscape play gardens.

“The design of stage two will also incorporate a car park area that will reduce the congestion experienced on the Hope Street side of Victoria Park.”

Speaking at Wednesday night’s monthly council meeting, councillor Monica Morse raised concerns about younger children, in particular, being hurt by a “vigorous soaking” at the water park, but was assured the risk of injury was low.

“Similar facilities are in place at a number of locations across the state and they seem to work quite well,” Mr Patterson said.

Cr Warren Aubin admitted he wasn’t “100 per cent sold” on the value of a water park in a region like Bathurst where “we have two months where it will be busy”.

“What happens the rest of the year? Will the water still be running? Will it be turned off? Will the area just be cement?” he asked.

Mr Patterson confirmed the water would be turned off in cooler months, but stressed that the water park would be just one of the attractions at the Adventure Playground.

Ric McConaghy Pty Ltd will be engaged to complete technical drawings and specification documents for the water park, as well as consulting to council during the construction stage.

Council plans to call for tenders to build the water park early in the new financial year, and will source the $1.45 million needed through loans.