The Northern Aquatic and Community Hub is set to be powered by renewable energy, slashing carbon emissions and delivering substantial operational savings.
The Council has included a $4 million allocation in its Proposed 2022-23 Budget to convert the Norlane hub site from gas to electricity.
The existing aquatic facilities in Waterworld are run on gas.
Switching to electricity in the new Northern Aquatic and Community Hub – allowing it to be powered by wind energy – would deliver an estimated $150,000 per year in operational savings.
It would also cut emissions by about 1700 tonnes per year, and help the new facility achieve a 5 Star (Australian Excellence) Green Star rating.
The emissions reduction is equivalent to the annual energy use of more than 300 Victorian households.
Under theClimate Change Response Plan 2021-2030, Council is committed to transitioning away from gas, to help meet its ultimate zero emissions target.
As part of this zero-carbon plan, Council last year partnered with 45 other Victorian municipalities to join the largest-ever emissions reduction project by local government in Australia.
Known as the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO), it provides the councils with 100 per cent renewable energy until the end of 2030.
Finance Portfolio Chair, Councillor Anthony Aitken, said the continued take-up of renewable energy would improve the efficiency of Council’s buildings and facilities.
This additional $4m investment, announced in the proposed budget, reflects how rapidly technology is changing from fossil fuel-based energy to renewables, and Council’s commitment to be a zero-carbon community as quickly as possible.
By powering the new Northern Aquatic and Community Hub with electricity instead of gas, we can take full advantage of the wind energy we’ve secured as part of the VECO agreement. This will rapidly reduce our carbon emissions and substantially cut the power bills for our facilities.
The Northern Aquatic and Community Hub is being delivered by the City of Greater Geelong, in partnership with the Victorian and Australian governments.
It will be a vibrant space for leisure and recreation activities, cultural and health programs, and community events, featuring:
- 1000 square metres of multi-purpose community space
- A 25-metre pool, hydrotherapy pool, Learn to Swim pool, water play area and waterslide
- Spa, sauna, and steam room
- A centrally located café
- A gymnasium, program rooms and occasional care facilities
- Consulting suites; and
- Expanded car parking spaces, landscaping, and aesthetic improvements to Corio Library.
Further information on this and other funding initiatives in the Proposed 2022-23 Budget can be viewed here
Submissions are encouraged and will be received until Tuesday 24 May.
