Bass Coast Shire Council ‘s purchase of land in Cowes on the southwest corner of the intersection of Phillip Island and Ventnor Roads, also known as the Cowes Carnival Site, has now been finalised.
The land was purchased through negotiation with the owners and was agreed to by the vendor on a voluntary basis.
The land will be home to the Phillip Island Aquatics and Recreation Precinct, which will provide Phillip Island with essential recreation and aquatics facility to improve the health and wellbeing of the local community and visitors to the Island.
Bass Coast Shire CEO Ali Wastie said that the as part of Council’s 10-year Aquatics Strategy, planning is currently underway for the construction of a new district aquatic leisure centre at Cowes, as part one of stage one of the Phillip Island Aquatics and Recreation Master Plan.
“In 2019, we appointed Otium Planning Group to develop a Feasibility and Business Study and concept plans for an aquatics centre on Phillip Island,” Ms Wastie said.
“Otium in conjunction with Integral Group is currently carrying out an Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) Options Report, including a geothermal investigation, to ensure the design of the facilities are as environmentally sustainable as possible.
“The concept plans and Feasibility and Business Study will be finalised based on this Report.”
Ms Wastie said that once the Study and concept plans have been completed, engagement activities will take place to seek feedback from the community, which is anticipated to begin this April.
“We really look forward to seeing what Otium comes up with and sharing this with the community to get their feedback and ideas,” Ms Wastie said.
“Engagement with the community and stakeholders is crucial and the feedback we receive will be critical in shaping the design and operations of the facility.
“We are still in the early stages of this project, however the purchase of this land means we are able to progress with confidence, to provide the community with a valuable and much needed facility.”
