Gladstone Regional Council expected to reject Zen Dev’s private pool at Boyne Island

With grand plans of its own, and $15m funding on the line, Gladstone Regional Council is expected to reject a private proposal for an aquatic centre at Boyne Island. But questions have been raised over the council’s own proposal and timeline.

Gladstone Regional Council is expected to reject the private proposal for an aquatic centre at Boyne Tannum and move forward with its own plans, but questions have been raised over how many summers residents will wait before diving in.

At Tuesday’s GRC meeting, councillors are expected to back in an officer’s report to decline entering a commercial lease with private developer, Zen Dev and instead proceed towards submitting a development application for a pool of its own.

Zen Dev’s riverfront aquatic centre proposal, located on Centenary Dr, Boyne Island is expected to be voted down as GRC pursues its own facility at its preferred location on Coronation Dr, Tannum Sands.

Zen Dev’s private proposal for a pool on Centenary Dr, Boyne Island is expected to be rejected at Tuesday’s Council meeting.

In a report organised by GRC’s general manager (Strategy and Transformation), it is recommended that council declines Zen Dev’s proposal citing the additional financial burden on ratepayers and the ineligibility to secure State Government funding for the purchase of a private development.

It has also been revealed by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications that the Labor Government’s $15m pre-election commitment is not eligible to be repurposed for a private development.

Financial modelling prepared by GRC outlines six avenues for delivering a pool at Boyne Tannum and what the impact would be for ratepayers.

The modelling suggests any option involving leasing from Zen Dev would result in the highest general rates increase of about $104 p.a.

The cheapest option, council building its own aquatic centre with additional government funding on top of the $15m Labor Federal Government commitment, results in a rates increase of about $24 p.a.

However, the Centenary Dr proposal would likely deliver a pool much sooner for residents.

A concept design of the private development by Zen Dev of an Aquatic and Recreational Facility at Boyne Tannum. Picture: Zen Dev

Zen Dev director Jacob Scott said residents could be enjoying the additional facilities within their proposal by Christmas 2023 in contrast to council’s proposal which predicts construction would not commence until July 2024.

Mr Scott also said it was inaccurate to highlight costs without considering revenue capacity, stating the private development had a superior location, additional activities and an indoor pool.

“If we were to remove our lagoon pool, remove the indoor learn to swim pool and propose cheaper metal grandstands we‘d comfortably come in well under the initial $1.5m rent proposed,” Mr Scott said.

“We’d like to emphasise our willingness to collaborate with GRC … acknowledging our proposal will deliver a much better outcome for the community and we should not be dismissed without proper assessment taking place followed by the opportunity to negotiate or revisit items of concern.”

Mr Scott also previously raised what he described as “significant risks and environmental constraints” at council’s preferred location.

GRC deputy mayor Kahn Goodluck outlined why he would be supporting the officer’s recommendation to not enter a lease agreement with Zen Dev.

GRC deputy mayor, Kahn Goodluck said other councillors may have different views and he respect their views and their position and the decision of council at the end of the day. Picture: The Observer

“Given it ($15m funding) is not eligible to be used for the ZenDev Project … and that there is a $1.5m annual lease fee the numbers are clear to me that councils project is the best value for money option for our community,” Mr Goodluck said.

“At the end of the day a this is the type of multimillion-dollar facility that only comes around once in a lifetime generally and we need to make sure we plan it accordingly.”

The GRC ‘conversations’ web page states the council-preferred site was selected among 11 locations and had a number of key attributes.

These include council already owning the land, zoning, its location among existing and expanding residential areas, proximity to schools and the shopping centre, and an existing public transport route.

The Officer’s Report also provides an alternative consideration to defer the decision for three months and allow ZenDev to submit revised commercial terms.