The City of Greater Bendigo is inviting feedback on a draft Community Aquatic Facilities Strategy 2021-2031.
The draft strategy is available to view and comment on for four weeks on the City’s website https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Your-Say until Friday August 14, 2020.
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Margaret O’Rourke said the aim of the draft strategy is to provide guidance for Council decision making and investment in local aquatic facilities over the next 10 years.
“With 10 outdoor and two indoor aquatic facilities Greater Bendigo has a high number of older aquatic facilities when compared to all other local government areas and while these facilities have served the community well for many decades they are in need of modernisation if they are to provide for current and future residents,” Cr O’Rourke said.
“As part of the development of the draft strategy all City aquatic facilities have been reviewed and recommendations for improvement and changes to programming have been made for their future.
“Council’s annual investment in the operation of our aquatic facilities is considerable and its important that they continue to meet the needs of the wider community and that we are investing funds where they are most needed.
“Recent data from the Active Living Census 2019 shows that swimming is the second most popular recreational activity in Greater Bendigo across all age groups. The data also showed that half of the residents who participate in swimming do so in their own home swimming pools.
“Providing new and upgraded infrastructure to meet contemporary needs and standards, while maintaining existing, often ageing aquatic assets, must be carefully balanced.
“The draft strategy features a range of recommendations and changes for local aquatic facilities and I encourage all interested residents to take some time to view the draft strategy and have their say.”
