Family-run Jamberoo Action Park in New South Wales, Australia, is set to invest up to AUS$20m (US$15m, £8m, 12m euro) in a new waterpark development.

The move would see the theme park, already the largest in the state, increase its capacity to 10,000 people by 2010.

The first stage of development will see the introduction of a Dark Mammoth slide called the Taipan, which is scheduled to begin construction in February 2007. A further new attraction will then be developed each year.

General manager Dax Eddy said he and his father Jim visited the US to seek ideas for the development, targeting waterparks which had won design awards and focusing specifically on rides with high volume and maximum excitement, excellent safety and maintenance records and affordability.

“With some of the attractions we selected we have made small changes to the way in which the ride has been configured which we believe will add to the excitement,” said Eddy.

“With each development we will be spending more time on the design aspects as we feel that how the ride suits our Australian theme and the design of our park will be a key factor in its success.

“With the development work being completed by Dreamworld, Movie World and Wet’n’Wild on the Gold Coast it is clear that to be compared with these theme parks we must develop our park considerably.

“We are confident that with the expansions we are completing at Jamberoo, coupled with our increased visitation from previous developments, we will be experiencing visitor numbers in the area of 10,000 a day over the peak periods by 2010 - 2012.” Details: www.jamberoo.net