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Built in 1976, the Wonthaggi swimming pool is set for a major upgrade.
By Catherine Watson
BASS Coast Council’s grand plan for two new aquatic centres is gone. Instead we’re going to fix up the old Wonthaggi pool.
The two-pool plan had ballooned out to $180 million-plus.
A 2021 feasibility study estimated the cost of a new Wonthaggi aquatic centre at $35-41 million and a Phillip Island aquatic centre at almost $53 million. However, a recent review found costs had doubled since then.
Bass Coast's two-pool strategy was adopted in 2016 and was followed by feasibility studies, an economic impact study, a funding strategy and a facility asset management plan.
BASS Coast Council’s grand plan for two new aquatic centres is gone. Instead we’re going to fix up the old Wonthaggi pool.
The two-pool plan had ballooned out to $180 million-plus.
A 2021 feasibility study estimated the cost of a new Wonthaggi aquatic centre at $35-41 million and a Phillip Island aquatic centre at almost $53 million. However, a recent review found costs had doubled since then.
Bass Coast's two-pool strategy was adopted in 2016 and was followed by feasibility studies, an economic impact study, a funding strategy and a facility asset management plan.
Meanwhile10 years of advocacy to state and federal governments garnered not a bean.
The only sign of interest came from the Liberal Party, which promised before the 2022 election that if it was elected it would fund the Phillip Island aquatic centre at a cost of $41 million. Unfortunately the Labor Party didn’t take the bait.
State and federal bureaucrats had always warned that a two-pool proposal was counter-productive.
The only sign of interest came from the Liberal Party, which promised before the 2022 election that if it was elected it would fund the Phillip Island aquatic centre at a cost of $41 million. Unfortunately the Labor Party didn’t take the bait.
State and federal bureaucrats had always warned that a two-pool proposal was counter-productive.
At Wednesday’s council meeting, councillors accepted the inevitable and put the Phillip Island aquatic centre on the back burner.
Plans to build a new aquatic centre in Wonthaggi were also shelved. Instead the council will redevelop the existing Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
Built in 1976, the old Wonthaggi pool requires an estimated $10 million in urgent works just to keep it going.
The 2025/26 budget allocated $500,000 to start the detailed designs, and the council will seek state and federal government funding for the upgrade.
The redevelopment will be designed and delivered in stages, allowing works to proceed as funding becomes available while keeping services open wherever possible.
Plans to build a new aquatic centre in Wonthaggi were also shelved. Instead the council will redevelop the existing Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
Built in 1976, the old Wonthaggi pool requires an estimated $10 million in urgent works just to keep it going.
The 2025/26 budget allocated $500,000 to start the detailed designs, and the council will seek state and federal government funding for the upgrade.
The redevelopment will be designed and delivered in stages, allowing works to proceed as funding becomes available while keeping services open wherever possible.
The concept plan for the Bass Coast Aquatic Centre includes:
- 25m x 10-lane competition pool suitable for short-course events and regional competitions
- Warm water, leisure and learn-to-swim pool with moveable floor
- Water play area and splash pad with adjoining toddlers’ pool
- Saunas and in-ground spa
- Gym and multipurpose rooms
- Foyer, café and community spaces
- Modern change rooms and amenities
Moving the motion to adopt the amended strategy, Cr Meg Edwards said she had learned to swim in the Wonthaggi pool and it would be catastrophic if Bass Coast’s only public swimming pool had to close.
“This is an opportunity in the next very short time frame to get this rolling. It’s really exciting to think that we could have effectively a new pool in the same vicinity within a few years.”
“This is an opportunity in the next very short time frame to get this rolling. It’s really exciting to think that we could have effectively a new pool in the same vicinity within a few years.”
“We don't need a Taj Mahal, we need a functioning pool that works.”
Cr Meg Edwards
Cr Tim O’Brien acknowledged that Phillip Islanders who had advocated for a long time for a pool would feel let down by the decision.
“The Wonthaggi pool is there and it's clearly in need of maintenance, in fact a complete and thorough rebuild.
“For Phillip Islanders who may have wanted us to keep pressing ahead with both pools it was never going to happen. It's far too costly but this is getting things in the right order. It's keeping the Phillip Island pool on the agenda but we get the sporting precinct up first.”
Cr Tessari was part of the council that approved the original aquatic strategy back in 2015. “I think it was said then that the Wonthaggi pool had 10 years to go before it was about to blow out.
“This is a directional change. It's obviously one that I approve of. The strategy now is very clear: the Wonthaggi Pool first, get the Phillip Island sports precinct up, and then the pool follows.
“We've done this for nine years, tried to get two pools. It didn't work, we've now changed the strategy, and hopefully we get a better result for everyone.”
“The Wonthaggi pool is there and it's clearly in need of maintenance, in fact a complete and thorough rebuild.
“For Phillip Islanders who may have wanted us to keep pressing ahead with both pools it was never going to happen. It's far too costly but this is getting things in the right order. It's keeping the Phillip Island pool on the agenda but we get the sporting precinct up first.”
Cr Tessari was part of the council that approved the original aquatic strategy back in 2015. “I think it was said then that the Wonthaggi pool had 10 years to go before it was about to blow out.
“This is a directional change. It's obviously one that I approve of. The strategy now is very clear: the Wonthaggi Pool first, get the Phillip Island sports precinct up, and then the pool follows.
“We've done this for nine years, tried to get two pools. It didn't work, we've now changed the strategy, and hopefully we get a better result for everyone.”
“A sign of lunacy is to continue to do the same thing and expect a different result.”
Cr Brett Tessari
Cr Ron Bauer said he had fought to keep a Phillip Island pool in the Future Plan of Council. “However, I am a realist and a pragmatic person. In the current climate, our advocacy only allows for one aquatic centre.
“The Wonthaggi pool needs some very urgent attention. Not if, but when it breaks down, we have nothing comparable in the shire.
“The Wonthaggi pool will do the job for the shire until such time as we are able to build the non-pareil Phillip Island Aquatic Centre.”
Cr Rochelle Halstead congratulated councillors on making a tough decision.
“We know how strongly our communities feel about this. And we haven't taken Phillip Island off the future plans.”
“The Wonthaggi pool needs some very urgent attention. Not if, but when it breaks down, we have nothing comparable in the shire.
“The Wonthaggi pool will do the job for the shire until such time as we are able to build the non-pareil Phillip Island Aquatic Centre.”
Cr Rochelle Halstead congratulated councillors on making a tough decision.
“We know how strongly our communities feel about this. And we haven't taken Phillip Island off the future plans.”
Comments are closed.
Yet it would be good if there was facility that catered for general pool use and hydrotherapy pool 24/7 every day. We are limited to just being able to go on Wednesdays.
There needs to be more accomadation for people with disabilities using the pool and accessing such things as change rooms/toilets.
I do state as I write this, I give high praise to the current staff of Wonthaggi Aquatic centre keeping the running and functioning of the aquatic centre to their best abilities and always looking out for the community who use the centre. An upgrade to the centre to cater for a wider daily use would be of benefit to all of the Bass Coast shire.
The health sector and those who need it should be pushing for a separate, small therapy pool - logically, at San Remo.
Cr. Bauer's right - 'I am a realist and a pragmatic person. In the current climate, our advocacy only allows for one aquatic centre'.
As I hope the present review of the BCSC Climate Action Plan will clarify, we need to spend, and recruit, every spare dollar into adapting to the heating world around us: start by getting rid of the gas burners heating the present pool. And add a few more urgent targets - drainage upgrades, bio-fuel council heavy vehicles, and a comprehensive plan to ensure all vulnerable households feature in the shire's Emergency Response provision.