Bundaberg council reveals total $89 million cost for new aquatic centre

The price tag for Bundaberg’s controversial aquatic centre has been revealed as millions of dollars more than first expected, according to figures released by the council and Mayor Helen Blackburn.

The price tag for Bundaberg’s controversial new aquatic centre has been revealed as just shy of $90 million, according to new figures released by the council and Mayor Helen Blackburn (inset).

The price tag for Bundaberg’s controversial aquatic centre build has been revealed as just shy of $90m, according to figures released by the region’s council and Mayor Helen Blackburn.

This new figure is millions of dollars more than the price tags previously quoted by the council for the project, which have included $75m and $83m.

Mrs Blackburn and the Bundaberg Regional Council released the information following her election commitment to “open the books” on the project.

“Council recently released the full budget for the aquatic centre construction during our meeting on 28 May,” Ms Blackburn said in a media release issued Wednesday.

“Greater detail surrounding the cost of the project is something our community has been crying out for and as part of my commitment to leading a transparent council, it’s been delivered.”

Construction on the facility, which will include three pools, is expected to be finished in early 2025.

The price tag for Bundaberg’s controversial new aquatic centre has been revealed as just shy of $90 million, according to new figures released by the Bundaberg Regional Council and Mayor Helen Blackburn (inset).

The expected cost of the pool became a lightning rod for controversy for the council under former Mayor Jack Dempsey’s term.

Construction of the pool was being carried out under a fixed price $75.8m deal, the council said following its announcement.

Mayor Helen Blackburn said the revelation of the total expected cost for the entire project was part of her promise to “open the books” at the election.

It had initially been priced at $45m when first announced.

Construction started in October 2022.

The report, released during the May 28 council meeting, said the full expenditure including the construction contract, design contract, project management, contract administration, waste disposal and ancillary and statutory was forecast at $89,668,823.

“It is a significant investment for our community, so it is now incumbent on us to put the pools to their best use for the benefit of our entire region,” Ms Blackburn said.

The expected price tag is almost double the initial expected price tag of $45 million claimed when the project was first announced.

Deputy Mayor Tracey McPhee said the accessibility of the new pool would be invaluable to many community service providers and residents.

“From an adult accessible changing table to a ramp entry in all three pools accessibility has been a major focus for this project,” Mrs McPhee said.

“The two competition pools will also be fitted with lifts with 2m depth of the 50m pool, depth ranges from 1.2m to 1.8m for the indoor 25m lap pool and a depth range of 90cm to 1.4m for the 25m heated program and learn to swim pool.”

“This will ensure important community uses for rehabilitation, exercise, sport and recreation, and learn-to-swim programs can be accommodated within the facility all year round.”

The project is funded by the Bundaberg Regional Council, along with more than $13m in support from the state government’s Works for Queensland program.