To support the health and wellbeing of our community and meet the needs of our growing population we are planning for two new aquatic facilities.
Our regional centre, Wonthaggi will benefit from the new Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre capable of accommodating competitive swimming, leisure activities, general community use and major regional events. This centre will be built adjacent to the existing centre and will replace the outdated 45-year-old facility which has escalating operational and maintenance costs and fails to meet the needs of our community.
The Phillip Island community has had to commute long distances for learn to swim programs, rehabilitation and recreational swimming. Current and anticipated population growth alongside a strong visitor economy supports the development of a new Centre on Phillip Island. Council has purchased land in Cowes for the future home of the Phillip Island Aquatics and Leisure Centre.
The Centres are designed to be carbon neutral and are expected to generate significant economic, health and social benefits for the local region by providing a diverse range of sports, events and activities.
In order for the Aquatic facilities to progress to construction stage, Council requires $79.3 million in funding.
The vast majority of councils across Australia actively seek State and Federal Government contributions to fund aquatics facilities.
In 2022, Council advocated to State and Federal Governments for funding through election promises to progress the Aquatics Project. Council were unsuccessful in achieving funding through either State or Federal Governments. .
The aquatics project is shovel ready and relies on all levels of Government funding to progress further.
The Centres are expected to generate significant economic, health and social benefits for the local region by providing a diverse range of sports, events and activities. They will also provide Centres within 30 minutes of most residents in the community.
They will provide
- 222 direct jobs during construction
- 56 full time jobs during operations
- Health benefit to the community of $17.8 million
There is a social return on investment of $2.18 for every $1 spend on aquatic facility operations in regional Australia.
Inclusion of a combined Warm Water Pool and Learn to Swim Pool will ensure exercise for rehabilitation and mobility will encourages the aging population to be active and allow emerging generations access to swimming lessons, an essential life skill.
The Centres will be designed to be carbon neutral.
Check out the Bass Coast Aquatic Strategy for a full overview of benefits.
The Aquatics project
- $94.6M Construction cost
- $7.295M Annual average revenue
- $7.387m Annual average expenditure
- $128,000 per annum operating cost
- 628,000 Annual average visitors
The Aquatic facilities are dependent on significant government support and we seek an investment of $79.3 million to deliver this two-pool strategy.
The vast majority of councils across Australia actively seek State and Federal Government contributions to fund aquatics facilities. Council will continue to hold meetings with Federal and State Ministers, Shadow Ministers, candidates, and Advisors to promote the benefits of investing in Aquatics in Bass Coast.
