Can a teenager’s passion save a beloved Canberra summertime landmark?

The ACT government is facing a new push for it to seize control of the derelict Big Splash water park, which remains closed for the third summer in a row and during the hottest week in years.

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Teenage activist Amelia Tattam has started a petition she hopes to present to the Legislative Assembly. Sponsored by Greens MLA Jo Clay, it had more than 600 signatures within its first day.

She founded a protest group with friends called Save Big Splash a week ago, devastated that the public had been barred from one of Canberra’s most iconic summer attractions for so long.

The 18-year-old said it’s a relief that Access Canberra now has the power to force the Big Splash owners to give up the site, but whether this action will be taken remains uncertain.

“The deadline passing hasn’t suddenly solved anything at this stage, but it has clarified that this is a pivotal moment, where decisions really matter,” Ms Tattam said.

“I knew that there’d be a lot of people on board with this petition, but getting 500 plus signatures in 24-hours is absolutely amazing.

“This isn’t just a minor concern among a few people in our community, people are making a lot of noise.”

She said she started the petition because she felt that Canberra had lost a crucial space for the community to gather, socialise and exercise together.

“Like many Canberrans, Big Splash was a very fundamental part of my experience growing up in Canberra during the summer,” she said.

“Especially with the under-16 social media ban as well, I think it’s so important that we have more of these spaces, not less. Because outdoor public recreation spaces are so important for mental and physical health.”

The petition listed three non-negotiable demands – a 50-metre outdoor pool, water slides and a lawn area – but Ms Tattam believes community consultation should shape the rest of the design.

“There are so many groups and individuals that have been affected by the shortage of outdoor, aquatic recreational spaces in Canberra,” she said.

“With this campaign I really care about ensuring that the space suits as many community needs as possible.”

Ms Tattam said she is confident the petition will be successful in kick-starting the process to restore Big Splash, and is excited by the support she’s received from community and ACT Greens deputy leader Ms Clay.

If the ACT Government does terminate the lease, Ms Tattam said she would be keen to collaborate with government and new private operators to restore the water park.

Since the park closed, she said it has been a loss to the community, not just in Macquarie, but all of Canberra and surrounding areas.

“I don’t think anything compares, Big Splash was pretty unique, and I’ve heard from people who would travel from Goulburn and Yass just to come here.”