$42 MILLION PLEDGED FOR POOL ON PHILLIP ISLAND
July 2022
The Liberal and National Parties have announced that if a Coalition Government is elected in the upcoming State Election, then they will contribute $42 million towards a new, modern and accessible aquatic and recreation facility specifically for Phillip Island.
Phillip Island residents will no longer need to travel the long distance to Wonthaggi to access indoor aquatic facilities, as the Liberals and Nationals commit to delivering them on the community’s doorstep.
COUNCIL IS UNWILLING TO CONSIDER AN EXCITING ALTERNATIVE FOR THE PHILLIP ISLAND AQUATIC CENTRE
March 2022
March 2022
The Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Fund recently commissioned an alternative proposal to build and fund a Phillip Island Aquatic Centre from Negawatts.
This report contained innovative ideas to create an environmentally and economically sustainable facility. The core idea centres upon creating a training facility rather than just an Aquatic facility. This would attract a wider audience, from around Australia and various sporting bodies, who would come and train using part/parts of the facility for a fee. Importantly, a certain proportion of each aspect of the facility would always be available for local use.
A key element of the proposal was to provide on-site group style accommodation e.g. 4 bunks with an en-suite, and meals at a cost accessible to sports groups of all levels. As anyone who has been associated with sport camps knows, having everything in one place ensures the most productive training experience, where participants usually have their first training session before breakfast and then have other structured sessions of various types throughout the day. Nothing of this type exists on the Island currently, and so it will not clash with any other providers. In fact, it will create a new sporting tourism market that could bring spin-off increases to existing attractions and activities.
There has been hugely enthusiastic response from the many sporting groups who have seen this concept including Tri-athletes, Surfers and Footballers.
As this facility generates its electricity from Solar power and has accommodation with showers and the ability to feed people, it could provide emergency shelter, should that be required.
This proposal identifies that such a facility can not only be environmentally and economically sustainable but can actually make a profit, which could then be used to further develop facilities for other sports on the recreation reserve.
Importantly, this project also opens the way to new funding opportunities that would not be available under the current proposals.
You would think that this idea would be worth detailed consideration of advantages and disadvantages of the new and old proposals. But not in Bass Coast Shire, it seems. The last Council meeting disallowed discussion of this report and it seems there was no possibility of deferring the decision to accept the current feasibility studies, to allow time for full consideration of the proposals.
Building one swimming pool, let alone two, is a huge expense for councils and they are a notorious drain on finances due to operating expenses. Island Voice believes that what is built and how it is funded must be carefully evaluated to ensure that the optimal solution is found. If nothing else, we would expect that a proposal that has been generated by a community group should be considered with some respect and we urge our elected Councillors and Shire officers to take the time to consider the merit of both proposals.
We have been trying to get an Aquatic facility built on PI for close on 30 years without success, so do you keep hitting your head against the same brick wall? No! You have to change the narrative and see if that works. To their credit, this group has changed the narrative significantly!
The Negawatts report is available to download (CLICK HERE) for you to read and we encourage you to do so.
If you feel that Council should at least consider this proposal we encourage you to let the CEO and Councillors know by emailing them at ali.wastie@basscoast.vic.gov.au and allcouncillors@basscoast.vic.gov.au .
A HUGE PLANNED EXPENDITURE BY BASS COAST SHIRE COUNCIL
February 2022
Phillip Island Aquatic Centre – Concept Elevation (courtesy Peddle Thorp Architects – May 2021)
In 2014, Council finally committed to provide an Aquatic Centre on Phillip Island and redevelop the Wonthaggi pool. In 2015, Council adopted the Bass Coast Aquatic Strategy 2015-2024 confirming that two pools should be built saying “Each centre will be developed with a point of difference”. In 2018, Council commissioned a report that found the Wonthaggi pool could continue satisfactory operation for a 10 year period (to 2028).
Bass Coast Shire Council released concept plans and draft feasibility studies for both Wonthaggi and Phillip Island Aquatic Leisure Centres. Cost estimates total $80-90 million, making this the largest Council-managed project ever seen in Bass Coast.
The Phillip Island Pool Committee was first formed in 1991, and the Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Fund was incorporated in 1999.
For over 30 years they have been advocating for construction of a centre on the island. With both State and Federal elections in 2022, they have their best chance yet to have the centre started with the joint funding Advocacy Strategy that Council is putting together at present.