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$90m pool plan on the table

21/5/2021

13 Comments

 
PicturePhillip Island aquatic centre: Splash pad and water play unit
​By Catherine Watson
 
THE plans are out and everyone agrees they look great - but can we afford to build two aquatic centres at a cost of up to $90 million?
 
Bass Coast councillors voted this week to release feasibility studies for proposed and long-awaited aquatic centres at Wonthaggi and Cowes – and called on the community to help them decide the way ahead.

​Moving the recommendation to release the report for public comment, Cr Michael Whelan noted there was a federal and a state election in the next two years. “We have an opportunity in the next two years with two elections to take this to the politicians and hope funds will be forthcoming.

PictureDownload the feasibility study
“The previous council set the target of having two shovel-ready projects to use our advocacy towards aquatic centre facilities in Bass Coast.

"We’ve achieved that … Now it’s important the community gets on board because if we’re a divided community we’ll get nowhere. We need to show a united front to Government."

​
The studies will guide future decision-making relating to a redeveloped Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Wonthaggi and a new aquatic and leisure centre in Cowes, Phillip Island.
 
The studies, by Otium Planning Group In association with Peddle Thorp Architects & Turner Townsend Quantity Surveyors, found the current and predicted population of the shire did not justify the extra cost – estimated at about $8 million for each pool –  of constructing a 50m pool. However, both facilities have been designed to allow a 50m pool to be constructed in the future.
 
They recommend an extra two lanes be added to a standard eight-lane pool to cater for a 20 per cent more users as the population grows.
 
The study estimates the cost of the Wonthaggi centre at $35-41 million and the Phillip Island centre (which incorporates a highball court) at almost $46 million for the aquatic centre and another $7 million for indoor sports and squash courts.
 
Each feasibility study recommends leisure and aquatic components based on population data, growth modelling and best-practice industry trends.
 
The proposed complex in Wonthaggi would be the regional centre for the shire, replacing the current pool, which was built in 1976. It remains within the Wonthaggi Sports Precinct but has been relocated to the corner of Korumburra Road and Wentworth Road. It would involve relocating the existing skate park and croquet club to another area within the sports precinct.

Picture
10-lane 25m main pool
Picture
Learn to swim pool
Picture
Outdoor water slides at Phillip Island
The Phillip Island Aquatic and Leisure Centre is proposed to be a district-level facility to be located on the corner of Phillip Island Road and Ventnor Road, Cowes. The council recently bought the site and the adjoining parcel Hilton Chadwick Reserve for a dedicated recreational reserve.
Cr Clare Le Serve said a lot of work had been done to get to this point. “A Phillip Island aquatic centre has been on the agenda for a long time. We’ve done our bit. We’ve got a good product. I implore people to get involved and have a look.
 
Cr Leticia Laing said the two facilities were sorely needed in Wonthaggi and Phillip Island.

“It’s great to see disabled access so people with a disability can enjoy these facilities, and to see a commitment to reducing the environmental impact with a focus on electricity to power the facilities.

“Hopefully it happens pretty soon because the Wonthaggi pool is leaking its guts out.”
 
Cr Bruce Kent said the council would be looking for support from the state and federal governments. 

“We’re putting forward a good product – both pools – but they also have to be paid for. and that’s multi millions.

“We need some sort of decision making from the community to gauge which pool we look at first, or do we consider doing both, knowing what it will cost?”
 
Cr Ron Bauer was disappointed that neither facility would have a 50m pool which means they cannot host swimming championships

“I think it has to go out to the community. I think it’s very important for the Phillip Island community and the rest of Bass Coast to look at this proposal.”
 
Cr Les Larke was the only councillor to oppose releasing the feasibility study for comment.
​

“Basically we cannot afford a two-pool strategy requiring $90-100 million in funding, regardless of council’s potential advocacy. My belief is one regional pool is realistic and we need to rethink the strategy accordingly.”
13 Comments
Frank W Schooneveldt
21/5/2021 11:44:12 am

I agree with a two pool strategy, one pool to serve the Island community and surrounding costal areas and one to serve the Wonthaggi community and surrounding areas. In my opinion the Council needs to bring money to the table in support of a two pool strategy and seek support from the State and Federal Governments for the balance of funding.
Council could add a pool levy to everybody’s rate notice. You would be surprised how quickly the funds grow. The Pool Rate Levy would send a strong message to the State & Federal governments that we are serious about these infrastructure projects.
Cheers

Reply
Joy Button
21/5/2021 01:11:22 pm

A grand swimming pool for Wonthaggi and Cowes sounds awesome.
Breaking it down it means a swimming pool for the Bunurong Ward, and a swimming pool for the Island Ward of Bass Coast Council. True San Remo and Newhaven are part of Westernport Ward but are ''neighbours' for the Island Ward.
Does this mean a hose and a sprinkler for the Waterline townships?
Is it unfair for a levy across all wards which will house the two swimming pools.
Bearing in mind the inadequate public transport and the lack of facilities in the Waterline townships, you cannot help but wonder if I wonder if Councillors have forgotten that the Waterline towns are part of Bass Coast Council.

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Bernie Mccomb
21/5/2021 05:11:44 pm

Outrageously expensive how about community build, weekend project like Jehovahs Kingdom Hall.

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Neil Rankine
21/5/2021 06:19:16 pm

Pools don't pay their way in dollar terms, but the health and community benefits are manifold. Wonthaggi pool was largely funded by the community (as was the Bilson St primary school pool), but in today's terms this would be done with a rates increase. No, I take that back, a pool levy added to the rates for long enough to get it done.
A commitment like this from our communities would almost certainly guarantee support from other levels of government.

Reply
kay Setches
24/5/2021 01:17:05 pm

I cant think of a more important health issue than these public pools. I would prefer for the Phillip Island Pool to proceed initially as we dont have any public pool except at the Cowes primary school. I used to travel to Wonthaggi for water therapy and no matter how you dress up that pool it has reached its used by date. The temperature of the water is raised, one day a week (when I went) but not to the warmth required for many patients.
As a former minister of Home and Community Care Program, I became aware of the overall health results of warm water therapy, and it is truly amazing and if continued is long term.
We will have a state of the art Public hospital at Wonthaggi. a community hospital at Cowes alongside the Small Trauma Centre in Cowes, all overwhelmingly funded by the State Government.
Large pools have been built (by Various Governments) in other municipalies and the evidence gathered (Maroondah and Darebin has 2 large water facilities) from various therapies and activities across the whole Community.
I suspect that when the funding is broken down to visits of all types to the pool we will see the costs become miniscule.
In addition we have an aging population and water therapy is also for the well.
Of all services , a modern pool is the most democratic. It takes everyone, the severely disabled (if the equipment is provided) Very sick people, as it is for fun and learn to swim programs and swimming squads. The argument that we are surrounded by the sea for swimming, is not really an arguement as the users of this pool are ovcerwhelmingly people that wouldnt swim in the sea because of various valid reasons.

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LEE TIERNEY
24/5/2021 03:22:02 pm

I wonder if some local tenderers could do the job cheaper and a 50mtr pool for Phillip Island is far preferable. Goodness knows we've waited long enough

Reply
Lou Pecora
24/5/2021 06:46:51 pm

Council is willing to spend $90m for two pools advocating the health benefits for the community, yet is willing to plunge sections of the community and thousands of motorists and pedestrian in danger of serious health issues with the removal of dust suppressant seals for the measly saving of about $40k per km.
Council should be responsible and brave enough to declare that it cannot afford two pools and the yearly maintenance cost while the basic needs of the community are neglected. A single aquatic centre with a 50m pool should be located centrally, possibly at Kilcunda to avoid the squabble between Wonthaggi and Cowes.

Reply
Bernie McComb
19/4/2022 09:05:37 am

Pool 50m at Anderson makes a lot of sense. Needs usual exemption from regulation, if not more, number of car parks. Then holy grail common sense public transport might arrive, especially when fossil fuel for cars too expensive/short supply and EV supply can’t keep up with demand.

Ebuses and ebikes are the future.

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Karen Sandon
24/5/2021 09:20:41 pm

I agree with Lou Pecora, one pool, 50mt, with full membership, gym, yoga, pilates steam room and sauna facilities and a positive healthy cafe. By far the most equitable locations would be Kilcunda, or better still the derelict land behind and adjacent to the Anderson's roundabout bus stop. This would have the advantage of increased access via public transport as many routes cross over there.

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Glynis Steohens
21/10/2021 09:53:59 am

Bass Coast is screaming for a 50 mtr pool. The cost is problematic and trying to please all of the community is not likely BUT, this project/s will not only add to health and well being of Bass Coastians especially the disabled. Employment opportunities with specialty training will add to positive prospects. If the proposal is for 2 pools, one has to be a 50 mtr as 25 mtr Pools are not viable as with the current pool at Wonthaggi and classes being on there is no room for lap swimming. Happy to be involved.

Reply
Col
1/12/2021 11:26:31 am

$90 million should be going on public housing in Bass Coast

Reply
Jim
11/1/2022 08:28:02 am

We need a lap pool on the island.A 25 mitre pool would be a waste of money.25m pool is a must.

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Melinda Cook
18/4/2022 06:39:15 pm

From a tourists perspective, it's about time Philip Island had an aquatic centre where we can go in the event of bad weather. We have a 7 day Easter booking for a property in Cowes next year, 2023, I hope it's ready by then.

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