Bass Coast Shire Council has begun the key strategic work to progress the development of aquatics facilities across the Shire.
As outlined in Council’s Aquatic’s Strategy, two new facilities have been identified to meet the growing needs of the community, that will service the Shire from here into the future.
Leisure Centre industry leaders, Otium Consulting, has been engaged by Council to complete a Business Case, which will include operational and concept plans to prepare both the new Phillip Island Aquatic and Leisure Centre and a redeveloped Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Wonthaggi.
The Business Case is critical in providing Council with important information relating to facility construction, ongoing maintenance and operational costs.
Council will then consider its options on how each will be progressed to detailed design and then subsequently funded, including expected timelines for each.
Otium are currently in the initial stages of the project, which includes the reviewing of information from previous studies undertaken by Council. In addition, Council has advised Otium of community-led planning information, which includes the significant efforts of the Phillip Island Aquatics Working Group, to ensure all information is considered.
Council will continue to lead this work and looks forward to planning the future of aquatics facilities in Bass Coast based on industry standards, community need and within its financial capacity.
The Business Case is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2020, which will then lead to future planning works and further community engagement in 2021.
Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari said that it was incredibly important to support the community’s aspirations to deliver quality aquatic and recreation facilities both on Phillip Island and in Wonthaggi.
“Phillip Island has been longing for a community swimming pool for years, and the existing facility in Wonthaggi needs to be redeveloped into a modern facility of today’s standards.
“We are committed to delivering both of these important community facilities, both of which are identified in our Long Term Financial Plan and supported by our Aquatic Strategy for Bass Coast.
“We will continue to advocate to the State and Federal governments for grant funding to make both of these projects a reality” Cr Tessari said.
Furthermore, Council is continuing to negotiate with the current landowner to finalise the sale for the land at the southwest corner of the intersection of Phillip Island and Ventnor Roads, also known as the Cowes Carnival Site.
This land is intended to be the home of the future Phillip Island Aquatics and Recreation Precinct, which will provide Phillip Island with essential recreation and aquatics facilities to improve the health and wellbeing of the local community and visitors to the Island.
