Council has undertaken extensive consultation with the community to better understand the needs and requirements of such a facility. This consultation was undertaken via:

• Community surveys
• Direct consultation with advocacy groups and local swim clubs
• Consultation with aquatic facility specialists and designers

As a result of the consultation, Council advanced the project to the Concept Design stage. Various studies have been completed including Feasibility Studies (2018), Preliminary Master Planning and Site Investigations (2019/20), community consultations (2019), site selections (2020) and in March 2022, a Concept Design was adopted. Since then, Council has submitted and received approval for their Development Application (DA/81/2022).

Residents of Boyne Island and Tannum Sands have access to a diverse range of locally based sport and recreation facilities, parklands, and natural open spaces to support an active lifestyle and to enhance their physical health and wellbeing. Notwithstanding the broad range of sport and recreation facilities available, access to a public swimming pool remains a minimum 25 minutes’ drive to Gladstone, the nearest urban centre. With the unfavourable distance of travel and limited public transport between Boyne/Tannum and Gladstone, equitable access to a public swimming pool continues to be an ongoing disadvantage for residents. For the reasons outlined, development of a public swimming pool has been long identified as one of the highest social infrastructure needs for the Boyne/Tannum community.

In 2019, Council sought community views on developing an aquatic recreation centre having completed a feasibility study to verify the need. Over 95 per cent of residents who responded to the survey support the development of a public swimming pool in the Boyne/Tannum community.

The GAC remains the recognised regional aquatic recreation facility for the Gladstone Region, however, there has long been continued advocacy for construction of a new pool for the Boyne/Tannum community. BTARC investigations began in 2018 and the sentiment within the community remains firm and passionate with affinity to local pools as important places to socially connect, recreate, build fitness, learn, and have fun.

BTARC

BTARC would provide equitable access to a public swimming pool, meeting the current and future needs of a community that has a high number of families with children, youth and a projected population growth of residents in the 45-64 age group. As one of Council’s major strategic priorities over the past four years, Council will continue its commitment to advance the BTARC project and to advocate for external funding.

GAC

Council received State and Federal Government funding for rejuvenation of the GAC. Council is committed to delivering these improvements, continuing into 2023, with upgrades to deliver a modern and comfortable facility that is compliant with Australian standards. Patrons will benefit from various improvements totally $5.2 million,including upgrades to the Splash Zone aquatic play park, fencing, new amenities, building renewals and improvements to the 25m indoor pool and 50m outdoor pool.

11 sites were originally identified as a possible location for an aquatic recreation facility at Boyne/Tannum. Detailed site analysis narrowed the options considered to three sites with Lot 900 Coronation Drive, Tannum Sands being recommended as the most feasible site for development.

Key attributes for selecting this site:

• Council owned land eliminating cost of land purchase
• Land is zoned emerging community under the Town Planning Scheme and is suitable for development of premises used for a recreation or sport activity
• Centrally located to established residential areas as well as urban expansion areas
• Close proximity to an established commercial centre (Tannum Sands Shopping Centre)
• Close proximity to primary and secondary schools
• Already along an existing public transport route
• Ample space for current development and does not restrict future aquatic centre expansion

The Concept Design adopted by Council on the 15 March 2022 includes:

• FINA Standard, 8 lane 50m outdoor heated pool with bulkhead
• Distinct recreational zone with a twin waterslide attraction
• Kiosk and general amenities, green space with shaded turf seating areas and spectator embankment
• All abilities access (pool ramp) and pool shading for sun safety and comfort
• Carparking and landscaping

You can view a copy of the adopted Concept Design here.

Based on current and projected community demand for likely users, a 50m outdoor heated pool was evaluated to be the most adequate size, taking into account forecast demographic changes and population growth over the next 40 years.

A 50m pool was also identified by the Boyne/Tannum community as the number one facility component during community consultation.

To make the most of a 50m pool, the following features have been included to further support the needs of the community:

• Pool size to support current and future demands for swimming club and aquatic sports development

• Pool specifications to be built on FINA standards to attract/host regional swimming competitions, carnivals and aquatic sporting events

• Added bulkhead functionality to create smaller water spaces for multipurpose concurrent use

• Pool heating to increase year-round access, patronage, and general comfort

• Access ramp and shaded sections for all abilities access and sun safety and comfort.

A movable bulkhead enables the ability to create smaller water spaces for multipurpose and concurrent use of the 50m pool. This functionality will make it easy to share pool space among different users as well as the ability to host short course swimming competitions.

Fixtures and materials are determined as part of the detailed design process in accordance with safety requirements.

The Boyne Tannum Bullets Swimming Club is a key user group identified for this facility and has been consulted for their advice and expertise to help inform the development of the project to date.

Once project planning enters the phase of work that requires Council to consider the management and operational models for this facility, the needs of key user groups will be negotiated to ensure Council is in position to support the club’s access needs.

Based on the Concept Design adopted by Council, the construction cost for this single stage development is estimated to be approximately $20.3 million.

Having been one of Council’s strategic priorities since 2018, considerable funds have been invested and work undertaken to reach the current stage of the project.

Council is looking forward to working with the newly elected Labour Federal Government on managing the $15M funding commitment made in January 2022 for Council’s development of a public aquatic recreation centre.

Council acknowledges that there is still the balance of the estimated construction cost yet to be secured. Council remains committed to pursuing a diverse range of investment opportunities to attract and/or apply for funding the construction.

Council is committed to seeking the external funding necessary to fund the full cost of construction for this project. Once the next phase of project development has been completed, Council will be asked to consider a final investment decision on the delivery of the project which will include consideration of the updated ongoing operational costs for Council.

Based on the Concept Design endorsed, current construction and Whole of Life estimates, and depending on external funding that may be secured, the BTARC could impact the average residential general rate anywhere between 0.95c to $4.65 per year. Acknowledging that this project is yet to complete Detailed Designs and receive a Development Application approval, it is important to note that the projected impact to rates is an estimate only and may change.

Traffic impact was considered as part of the Development Application assessment to determine the likely impact of a facility on the surrounding road network. Council will adhere to all general conditions prescribed under the approved Development Application (DA/81/2022).

Noise impact was considered as part of the Development Application assessment to determine the likely noise conditions on the surrounding residential areas that may come from the proposed facility. Council will adhere to all general conditions prescribed under the approved Development Application (DA/81/2022).

Investigations are currently being undertaken to identify the appropriate operating model. The outcomes of this work will be shared with the community in due course. Council will focus on delivering value for the community.

BTARC has been designed to complement existing aquatic centre facilities in the Gladstone Region. It is also intended to encourage participation in physical activity that value adds and supports local businesses providing fitness and wellbeing services. As part of operationalising this facility, Council will look to deliver the right balance of programs and services that meet community needs. Once these programs and services are known, they will be shared with the community in due course.

Council is governed by the Planning Act 2016, and was required to submit a development application to be assessed against the Gladstone Regional Council Planning Scheme V2.

As Council is the Assessment Manager under the Planning Act 2016, to ensure transparency, a suitability qualified external Planning Professional was engaged to undertake this process on Council's behalf.

Council is now progressing work on development of Detailed Designs and the preparation of documents suitable for construction stage procurement and delivery.

Once Detailed Designs are complete, Council will be asked to consider a final investment decision on delivery of this project.

Council is also continuing to investigate opportunities to apply for capital funding for the construction of the facility.

Council will endeavour to have the project construction ready, where planning, development approvals and construction drawings are all in place so that with sufficient funding, Council can make a final investment decision to commence construction.