Boyne Tannum Aquatic Recreation Centre approved by Gladstone Regional Council

As plans for a Gladstone Regional Council owned and operated water park at Tannum Sands forge ahead, it can be revealed tenders for detailed design could be awarded soon.

Renders and concept designs submitted by Gladstone Regional Council as part of their strategic project to be the developer of the Boyne Tannum Aquatic Recreation Centre at their preferred site on Coronation Dr. Picture: GRC (supplied)

As plans for a Gladstone Regional Council owned and operated water park at Tannum Sands get the green light, it can be revealed tenders for detailed design could be awarded soon.

The council’s proposed Boyne Tannum Aquatic Recreation Centre, earmarked for the 9.95ha lot at 20 Dunn St in Tannum Sands, was submitted for assessment on December 21.

That application, which could be eligible for a $15 million injection from a Labor Government pre-election commitment, was approved in full by GRC on Tuesday – but still need formal assessment and approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Members of the public have until Thursday, March 31, to provide comment on the referral, at which point it will then enter the assessment stage.

At the March 21 GRC general meeting it was heard tenders had closed for the detailed design of the project and the council hoped to award the tender this calendar year, with an approximate six month period for that design to take place.

Key design features of the council facility include a “FINA standard, eight lane 50m outdoor heated pool”; a “distinct recreational zone with twin water slide attraction” and a splash pad; an “all abilities access pool ramp and pool shading”; shaded turf seating areas; a “spectator embankment”; and a kiosk.

The “Mantis” water slide will be 6.5m high and 17.5m wide with a depth of 16m.

“The BTARC will be a high quality and contemporary facility catering for community sports and recreation needs as well as competitive local and regional events,” the council’s application states.

It adds the facility will be used year-round by a “diverse group of users” which will enhance the health and fitness, tourism and visitor experiences in the Gladstone region.

“Development of a public swimming pool facility has long been identified as one of the highest social infrastructure needs for the Boyne / Tannum community given that access to a public swimming pool for the community is currently a minimum 25 minute drive to Gladstone,” documents state.

Renders and concept designs submitted by Gladstone Regional Council as part of their strategic project to be the developer of the Boyne Tannum Aquatic Recreation Centre at their preferred site. Picture: GRC (supplied)

It further states the council considered 11 sites for the BTARC but chose the Dunn St site as it was council-owned; close to residential areas, schools and the Tannum Sands Shopping Centre; was serviced by public transport; and was part of the “Emerging Community” zoning under the region’s planning scheme.

The facility will have 94 car parking spaces including three for people with a disability, plus six bicycle parking spaces, and a coach set down area.

The application states the BTARC will require the removal of about 1.7ha of native vegetation from the site, but it was “considered unlikely” to be “critical” habitat for threatened or near-threatened species like the koala and white-throated needletail.

Renders and concept designs submitted by Gladstone Regional Council as part of their strategic project to be the developer of the Boyne Tannum Aquatic Recreation Centre at their preferred site. Picture: GRC (supplied)

The submitted Environmental Impact Statement says a “construction environmental management plan will be prepared for the project” requiring a species management plan that includes the use of a spotter/catcher while vegetation is disturbed to identify any fauna for relocation.

If koalas are spotted, they must be undisturbed and left alone until they leave “on their own accord”.

The GRC approval comes after it rejected a proposal from private developer Zen Dev to build a riverfront aquatic centre at neighbouring Boyne Island.

This publication revealed in early December last year that councillors had backed recommendations to decline entering into a commercial lease with Zen Dev and instead press forward on the council’s own pool visions.