Mount Morgan Aquatic Centre: Council successful in government funding

Over the past 12 months, a Queensland council has spent more than $4.5M carting drinking water to a town after its water supply reached critical levels. Now, plans are going ahead for a new aquatic centre.

Mount Morgan Pool file photo. Pictured is lifeguard Kaleb Armstrong, Hani, Dublin and Django Camm.

Serious discussions were held around the Rockhampton Regional Council table on Tuesday as councillors decided whether to move forward with plans for a new aquatic centre at Mount Morgan.

The new aquatic centre has been in the works for some time as the current pool is significantly leaking which is causing water wastage.

Given the age and deterioration of the current pool and infrastructure, it was determined the facility was at the end of its viable service life.

The new project includes a splash pad, similar to what is installed at Gracemere and South Rockhampton.

The new pool is planned to be 25 metres with eight lanes and 0.9-13.5 metres deep with starting blocks and an all-accessibility ramp.

Other features for the project include shade structures, change rooms, amenities, entry kiosk, portable grandstands, landscaping, lighting, fencing and car park resurfacing.

No work would be carried out on the heritage listed caretakers cottage on the site.

The project was short-listed as one of the key projects council was pushing for in the federal election.

Council has been successful in receiving $4.5 million of Queensland Government funding from the Resources Community Infrastructure Fund for the project.

A further $2 million of council’s own money was allocated to the project in the budget.

The commitment of government funding was a sticking point during the councillors discussion.

“(I am) Fully cognisant of the water situation and our financial position …. This grant funding is extraordinary, we wouldn’t receive funding for a community of this size,” Mayor Tony Williams told the table when speaking for the project.

“(It would) Be a shame to knock this back for the community.”

However, on the other hand, it is an ironic project given the significant water woes Mount Morgan has suffered through.

It has now been a year since the town’s residents were placed on level six (emergency supply) water restrictions.

Council began water trucking in April 2021 and so far has spent $4.5 million doing so with no commitments or assistance from the federal or state governments.

In late 2021, council was also slapped with severe cuts in funding from the Local Government Grant Commissions.

The cuts will cause council to lose $13.5 million in funding in the next three years and $6.8 million less each year.

In an effort to come up with some of the shortfall, council announced in February it was looking to close innovative hub and co-working facility SmartHub, at Customs House.

This has been met with a negative response from members and the community as it has been argued it would only save $500,000 if the facility was to close.

No other cost-saving measures have been announced.

Mount Morgan pool.

Councillors Neil Fisher and Drew Wickerson questioned the presenting officer for the aquatic centre project, Alicia Cutler, general manager Community Services.

Councillor Donna Kirkland, who also holds the water portfolio, had heavily researched the project and had a stack of papers in front of her as she asked her list of questions.

Water efficiency was heavily discussed and it was noted the existing pool was “significantly leaking”.

“Just by updating the pool alone … it will be a much more efficient operation,” Ms Cutler said.

Peter Kofod, general manager Regional Services, also answered some questions about the cost.

The filling of the pool is factored in the project cost and a 15 per cent contingency ($800,000) has been allocated.

A concept design has not been commissioned yet and it is expected this would cost $250,000, which would come out of council’s pocket.

It was said the pool would have to be closed if the new project didn’t go ahead.

Councillor Grant Mather voted against the proposal to continue with the project and said this was purely from a “financial” position.

He requested to see a report about how the pool could be fixed and still be used, which had previously been discussed at another meeting.

“This is not about whether the public of Mount Morgan deserves a pool, I would like to see a report come back to see if that pool can be saved,” he said.

“We need to find $3.5 million for a business case (for the Mount Morgan water pipeline).

“I’d rather see the money get used for something more important which is supplying water to the community.”

If the project was to go ahead, the current pool would be closed over the 22/23 summer and be ready to open for the 23/24 summer.

“To not go ahead with a project of this size would paint council with a bad reputation,” Mayor Williams said.

“The issue we are dealing with the water …. this project started well before the water carting.

He noted the external funding and if council was to pull out, it might make it difficult for funding in the future.

Deputy Mayor Neil Fisher endorsed the mayor’s position.

“I know there were questions that many of the councillors had,” he said.

“I think it is something that the community needs.”

Councillors Mathers and Shane Latcham both voted against the project.

It was moved that council proceed with the $4.5 million state government funding and keep $2 million in its own council budget, spread across 2021-24.

A concept design will now been created and consultation with the community will take place.