Work has started on an AU$45m (US$33m, €29.9m, £21.2m) waterpark development in Cairns, Australia, with the new tourist offering opening in late 2016.

Inspired by Indonesia’s Waterbom Bali, the new Adventure Waters site will be supplied by ProSlide, featuring a lazy river, Tornado 45, Mammoth River, six-lane Octopus Racer, wave pool, dual Twister slides, Plummet Freefall and a Turbo Tunnel slide across the 70,000sq m (753,000sq ft) park. The cashless waterpark will use waterproof wristbands for guest to make purchases throughout the park, with amenities including a mix of restaurants and retail.

The development is six years in the making, after multiple delays including a legal challenge, approval delays and a cyclone, hampered progress.

Gregg Construction has been awarded tender for the site, with civil works including the installation of a network of underground infrastructure now underway and the attraction pegged to open in September next year. The development will create 340 jobs during the construction phase and will employ more than 200 people on a permanent basis upon completion.

“It will certainly stimulate some activity in the town and what’s more encouraging is we have investors who are now looking at the tourism industry,” said Cairns mayor, Bob Manning. “I predict that we will see more investment, and I think we are on the edge of an exciting time for Cairns.”