IT'S billed as the world's best water park - and it's right in the heart of western Sydney.
These are the first images of the attractions to be featured at Sydney's own Wet'n'Wild water park - which is being touted as the best of its kind on the planet.
Construction on the park - at Prospect adjacent to the M4 - begins today.
Due to open in December next year, the water park will feature a massive beach and the latest in waterslide technology - from a giant "tornado" ride to the world's tallest looping tube complex and a double SkyCoaster.
Wet'n'Wild Sydney will be home to a total of 42 slides and attractions. The $115 million project is set to create the equivalent of 300 full-time jobs in construction and a further 300 when it is up and running.
The first excavations began yesterday at the 25ha site, with Premier Barry O'Farrell formally commencing the construction with officials from Village Road Show Limited, which is building the project. One of the highlights of the water park will be a 150m surf pool and 70m wave pool with 3m swells.
Combined, the pools will be nearly as long as Freshwater on the northern beaches.
"This will be Australia's best beach. It's got no rips and no sharks," Wet'n'Wild Sydney general manager Chris Warhurst said.
Mr O'Farrell said that Wet'n'Wild is predicted to attract around 900,000 visitors a year - including 20 per cent from overseas and interstate - and generate more than $500 million for the NSW economy in the first 10 years of operation.
"Whichever way you look at it, this is terrific news for Sydney, it's terrific news for western Sydney," he said.
"They're about to put a beach within reach of everyone who lives in western Sydney."
But don't expect Mr O'Farrell to be the first to line up for one of the rides.
"I am not volunteering to go on any of those turbo rides," he said.
An onsite water retention pond, part of the park's environmental management plan, will cover 90 per cent of water used for amenities and irrigation at the site and water loss will be minimised through the park's "splash out" slide designs.
Village Roadshow will pay $7 million to upgrade roads around the site, which it will lease from the government. Annual visit passes will cost $79.99, with prices for single visits yet to be announced.
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