Surf Coast Shire approve revised budget to deliver health and aquatic hub

Surf Coast Shire will on Tuesday vote on whether it should adopt a revised budget to include a further $6m in borrowings.

Concept art for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre.

Surf Coast Shire has voted to adopt a revised budget which includes an extra $6m to allow a controversial health hub to go forward.

The shire will use the extra money to progress the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre project.

Council adopted the budget changes at its meeting on Tuesday, in which it also resolved to award Kane Constructions the contract at a cost of $46,341,054 (ex GST), to complete construction of the centre which will adjoin Wurdi Baierr Stadium.

Council also affirmed an external contractor management model for running of the centre and stadium combined.

Mayor Liz Pattison said council was excited to move the project forward “which will support community health, wellbeing and water safety education for decades to come.”

“Providing greater access to Learn to Swim opportunities for generations of children will be such an important benefit from this centre,” Ms Pattison said.

Concept art for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre.

“We are pleased to have appointed our contractor following an extensive tender evaluation and value management process, and we are confident they have the experience, capability and capacity to deliver the project.

“Following community consultation and consideration of six submissions we have moved ahead with endorsement of the revised budget which will enable us to capitalise on the significant funding commitments totalling $36.68 million from Australian and Victorian governments.

“This government funding can only be used for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre, so we are seizing what may be our one and only opportunity to deliver a centre for this and future generations.”

Kane Constructions has recently worked on Norlane Aquatic Recreation Centre and North Bellarine Aquatic Centre, and has a locally-based project team.

The Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre has received $20 million from the Australian Government and $16.68 million from the Victorian Government.

“We thank both the federal and state governments for their valued contributions, and we’re grateful that all three levels of government are playing a role in such a significant project,” Ms Pattison said.

The shire’s vote on the centre’s management structure at Tuesday’s meeting included the management of the Winchelsea pool.

The hub will be incorporated into the Wurdi Baierr Stadium.

EARLIER

Council put the proposed revised budget out for public exhibition in June and received six community submissions.

Four of these were in favour, while two opposed.

One concern was the pool would be less than 50m and wouldn’t cater for community needs, the other opposed the $6m price tag, “excessive” architectural design and questions if the project aligns with the Shire’s Environmentally Sustainable Council Facilities Policy and climate emergency declaration.

According to council, the $6m of borrowings aligns with the shire’s borrowing policy, and is necessary because fully funding the hub from normal revenue streams is not possible for what is a project of “strategic significance.”

The shire intends on paying back the borrowings, plus interest, over 25 years, intending to spread the cost of investment across generations that will benefit from the project.

The state government has contributed $16.68m, while the federal government has contributed $20m.

Designs for the centre were finalised last August, and went to tender in January.

The centre will be integrated with Wurdi Baierr Stadium in Torquay’s north, is set to be completed in 2026.

Cr Rose Hodge said earlier this year the community was looking forward to the opening of the centre.

“Integrating with Wurdi Baierr Stadium, it will become an invaluable hub for wellbeing, water safety, recreation and social connections,” Ms Hodge said.

“Importantly the centre will demonstrate a strong focus on environmentally sustainable design, including all-electric operation supported by an extensive rooftop solar system.”

The centre will contain an indoor 25m indoor pool, a smaller pool, gym, allied health suites and program spaces.

The pool halls will have limited, low-profile glazing, low ceiling heights and no skylights to maximise energy efficiency, 100 per cent rainwater retention and re-use within the centre and no viewing into the pool halls from other internal spaces to reduce heat loss, according to council.

The proposed facility will also feature all-electric power, supported by rooftop solar, to be more environmentally friendly

Originally published as Surf Coast Shire approve revised budget to deliver health and aquatic hub