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Banned Floating Waterpark Reappears off Lovina Beach in North Bali

• 09 Mei 2016
• Insight
• Badung

Singaraja, Baliterkini.com - After being dismantled and sent back to shore in 2015, a floating waterpark anchored a short distance offshore Kalibukbuk community at Lovina, North Bali is reportedly back at sea and open for business after receiving a “location permit” (izin lokasi) from the Provincial Government.

The resumption of operations by the Waterpark has once again raised concerns among North Bali tourism operators who complain that the operation is not fully licensed and is causing severe damage to the coral reef.

Bali Post reports that during a visit to the area on Saturday, April 9, 2016, they confirmed that the Waterpark'a brightly colored floating elements were now anchored a short distance from shore, secured by heavy anchors installed by its owner, PT Kreasi Bali Utara (KBU,) who are claiming to be only performing “test operations.”

A director of the Buleleng chapter of Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association, Ketut Budiastra, accompanied by a number of hotel owners told Bali Post that the “location permit,” claimed to have been issued by the Provincial Government, was never socialized to area tourism operators.

Moreover, KBU has never approached the local business community with details for their proposed business venture operating a floating waterpark in North Bali.

Adding to the concerns of the local community is the fact that the area used to anchor the waterpark is in the middle of a five-kilometer stretch of coral growth area under the supervision of the Buleleng Fisheries and Conservation Department (Diskanla).

Local observers point that the area being used by the waterpark is densely populated by eci-sensitive coral reef and generally considered unsafe for swimming.

Another concern expressed by many local residents and businesses is that the new Waterpark is an eyesore that will interfere with the development of Lovina as a tourist destination promoting diving and boat trip to view local pods of free dolphins.

The Waterpark was first installed in the area by an Australian investor in 2015, but later removed for failing to have the required licenses and permits. [BT / balidiscovery.com]