Gladstone Regional Council to pursue own Boyne Tannum Aquatic and Recreational Centre despite approving ZenDev development application at previous meeting
A long-awaited aquatic and recreational facility for the people of Boyne Tannum is one step closer, however, doubts have now been raised for the private development of the facility which was approved only two weeks ago. Find out whether residents could be getting not one pool, but two.
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Gladstone Regional Council will double down on plans to develop its own public pool for Boyne Tannum, despite approving a private development just two weeks ago, which could see further delays and mounting costs.
GRC has this week pressed forward with its ‘strategic project’ as developer of the Boyne Tannum Aquatic and Recreational Centre (BTARC), adopting a concept design at the preferred site on Coronation Dr.
The move, however, comes just a fortnight after approving the Development Application (DA) from real estate group ZenDev for an aquatic centre at its Hampton Dr site.
A Gladstone Regional Council staff member previously told The Observer council had paused further progress on its project while awaiting the outcome of ZenDev’s DA.
Having already spent about $420,000 to date, including engaging consultancy group GHD in January last year to review its 2020 Preliminary Master Plan, council will now spend an estimated $720,000 for legal and design processes to be in a position to submit a DA.
Council considers cost to be the most significant constraint on the project, and while there are further studies required which could increase current projections, construction is forecast to cost $21m.
Funding of council’s project is currently reliant upon a $15m commitment from the Australian Labor Party, whose candidate for the electorate of Flynn, which includes Gladstone, is the city’s current mayor, Matt Burnett.
Importantly, the ALP’s $15m election commitment is only for a pool developed by GRC.
“I make no apologies for being the only candidate to have pledged funding for a publicly accessible pool at Boyne Tannum. I’ve been fighting for years for this, and the LNP have ignored the community’s needs,” Mr Burnett said.
It could be more than 2 years before council is in a position to begin construction on the pool, with its website stating that with planning approvals and sufficient funding works would begin in July 2024.
However, ZenDev director Jacob Scott said if the developer and council reached mutually beneficial terms, residents could be swimming by Christmas next year.
Mr Scott also identified potential issues with council’s preferred site, which he says has been identified on the State Planning Policy Mapping System as a habitat for endangered or vulnerable wildlife.
“The time its taken to GRC to get to this early concept stage, and the reported costs spent to date makes a bit more sense now,” Mr Scott said.
“I know we would struggle to get a site such as this approved, so we feel grateful to be in the position to offer the Boyne and Tannum community this centre much sooner.”
Boyne Tannum Aquatic Recreation Centre Community Working Group spokeswoman, Leanne Patrick said the wider community had been requesting a facility like this for more than two decades and council’s adoption was “most welcomed”.
“Council recognises that a disciplined approach combined with a commitment of continued community consultation throughout all phases of this project will ultimately see our community receive a sustainable and well thought out social infrastructure that includes the community’s needs and wants,” Ms Patrick said.
“Council is answerable to its residents and ratepayers … (but a) privately developed Aquatic Recreation Centre project is not.”
Ms Patrick confirmed it was the community’s belief that only one significant aquatic centre was wanted and needed.
At this week’s meeting, Cr Glenn Churchill said it was essential that council fulfilled the principal of community engagement.
The Conversations platform on the GRC website has detailed responses to frequently asked questions and also encourages residents to submit feedback regarding the proposal.
Following this week’s adoption, GRC has reiterated its acknowledgment of ZenDev’s approved DA from the previous meeting.
“The private development remains separate to council’s strategic project and role as the developer of the BTARC,” the statement reads.
GRC maintains it has received no formal advice from the developer of confirmed timeframes for when they are in a position to commence construction.
During community consultation, Council says it will endeavour to clarify the private development remains separate to Council’s strategic project and role as the developer of the BTARC.
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Originally published as Gladstone Regional Council to pursue own Boyne Tannum Aquatic and Recreational Centre despite approving ZenDev development application at previous meeting
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