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

Council envisions the facility to offer:

• 8 lane 50m outdoor heated pool
• Distinct recreational zone
• 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

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.

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.

At completion of the design phase, the construction cost for this development is estimated to be approximately $27.9 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 working with the 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 as much external funding as possible for the cost of construction. Depending on the external funding that may be secured, the BTARC project could impact the average general rates anywhere between $51.00 to $64.00 per year. It is important to note that the projected impact to rates is an estimate only and is subject to 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).

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.

The BTARC site is referred to as a greenfield site and involves building on previously undeveloped land. Developing this site requires the installation of infrastructure that does not currently exists within the site (eg. road entry, sewer, water, electricity and communication) which all require assessment under Council's Planning Scheme.

Council received its Notice of Decision from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) on 18 April 2023. The proposed BTARC development to be located at Coronation Drive, Tannum Sands has been deemed not a controlled action and therefore does not require further assessment and approval under the EPBC Act before it can proceed.

Council will now proceed to tender the project for construction in 2024. A subsequent decision will be required to award the tender and will serve as Council's final investment decision.

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

The purpose of undertaking Detailed Designs is to develop working drawings and specifications for the Concept Design that was adopted by Council on 15 March 2022.

Drawings and specifications developed during the Detailed Design process will be utilised for procurement when the project goes out to tender for construction.

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.

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.

On 1 March 2022, development approval (with conditions) was granted to a private aquatic centre development for Boyne Island (DA/24/2021), with a subsequent negotiated notice of decision approved on 5 July 2022.

In May 2022, the developer submitted a draft proposal package for Council to provide feedback on whether enough information had been provided across all matters relevant for Council to consider the opportunity to be the Tenant of their facility.

On 15 August 2022, Council received the formal proposal package and initiated plans to undertake the formal assessment process. The proposal was for Council to enter a commercial lease (with the option to buy) arrangement for the privately constructed aquatic centre facility at Boyne Island as an alternative pathway to deliver an aquatic recreation centre for the Boyne/Tannum community.

Key attributes of the proposal included:

• No capital contribution required from Council towards cost of construction.
• Council leases the facility for a term of 20 years.
• Pay an annual lease fee (rent) of $1.5m (subject to annual rent review).
• Council is responsible for general repairs and asset maintenance.
• Incentive to lease included one of the below options:
• First 12 months’ rent free
• First 6 months free rent and operating cost
• Third party operator provided by the private developer to establish baseline operating data.
• Opportunity to purchase the facility for $25m (subject to market evaluation).

In consultation with Specialist Officers, assessment was undertaken in accordance with Council’s Investment Decision Framework and relevant policies.

At Council’s General Meeting on 6 December 2022, Council resolved to decline to proceed with the private developer’s proposal to enter a commercial lease for the private aquatic centre development at Boyne Island. This decision was made based on the outcomes of the financial modelling and limited funding avenues to support the purchase of the private development. The options to lease or purchase the private facility represented the least value for money outcome for the community in comparison to Council’s own development.