New Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre

The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre is making strides towards its highly anticipated completion with three new and accessible pools set to open to the public early in the second half of 2025.

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Council statement

FROM BUNDABERG REGIONAL COUNCIL CEO STEVE JOHNSTON:

Bundaberg Regional Council would like to address mistruths circulating within the media and on social media regarding the build of the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre.

The site at the Old Showgrounds was selected with the full background knowledge that it had previously been used for waste disposal.

This was taken into account with the Aquatic Centre's design and construction methods chosen.

The project remains on time and on budget. In fact, elements of the construction are well ahead of the original schedule.

Council and Woollam Constructions are working collaboratively to deliver a high-quality project.

Council has been fully transparent in terms of the project and residents are encouraged to utilise the project page on ourbundabergregion.com.au as a single source of truth.

FROM WOOLLAM CONSTRUCTIONS REGIONAL MANAGER MITCH PERRY:

The constraints around building on a landfill site were well known and documented throughout the design and tender process. The structure of the project is found on over 800 concrete piles to mitigate the effects of variable landfill.

The project has been and continues to be delivered methodically, safely and on program. At no point throughout the project have works been performed out of sequence, without necessary remediation works occurring, nor have they stopped due to unsuitable foundations or uncompacted landfill.

The design and tender process was carefully managed by the Bundaberg Regional Council project team and the level of documentation provided has positively supported the project and facilitated our progress to date.

At the core of our business is more than 200 people delivering a safe, reliable, smart, and seamless experience. We’ve been building for 140 years because we’re a business built on trust and resilience.

The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre, a state-of-the-art facility featuring three pools with a strong focus on accessibility, is progressing steadily toward completion in early 2025. With a total project budget of $89.7 million, the center aims to serve the community year-round for sports, rehabilitation, and recreation. This significant investment is expected to enhance Bundaberg's appeal as a hub for competitive training and community wellness programs.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

Bundaberg Regional Council is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) for the management of what it believes will be the best regional aquatic centre outside of South East and North Queensland.

EOIs are sought from service providers that possess the necessary facilities management skills to be shortlisted to tender for the facility management of the new Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre.

For more information, read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

Olympic swimmer Isaac Cooper recently toured the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre construction site and became the first to step into the new Olympic pool. With major construction milestones including over 8,000 meters of concrete piles driven and 600 tonnes of steel installed, the facility promises to enhance local health, training, and competitive opportunities. Cooper expressed excitement about its potential to elevate Bundaberg's athletic talent and host high-level training camps.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre impressed Council’s Audit and Risk Committee and Councillors during a site tour showcasing significant progress, including the installation of pools and rising structures. Mayor Jack Dempsey highlighted the future potential of activity rooms for training and certifications, emphasizing the project’s oversight by experienced professionals like Audit and Risk Committee chair Stephen Coates. The Committee praised the development as a flagship project poised to attract further investment to the Bundaberg region.

Find out more about the Aquatic Centre project, including FAQs, on the project page.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre continues to progress, with 3,000 cubic meters of concrete poured and structural steel erected for its state-of-the-art facility, featuring a 50 m international competition pool, a 25 m pool, and a warm program pool. Designed for training, competition, rehabilitation, and community activities, the center will include accessible features like lifts, ramps, and hoists, ensuring inclusivity. Funded with Queensland Government support, the project is expected to enhance economic, social, and health outcomes while attracting regional, national, and international events to Bundaberg.

Read the whole Bundaberg Now story here.

The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre will be a state-of-the-art multi-use sports facility unique to the region, leading Council to invite industry experts to express an interest in its management.

The extended tender process will see Bundaberg Regional Council first accept Expressions of Interest for the operation and management of the centre.

Qualified and experienced applicants will then be shortlisted for an Early Tender Involvement process to develop the terms of the management process.

Sport and Recreation portfolio spokesperson Cr Vince Habermann said it was an approach which would ensure the best value and best result for the community.

“The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre is of such a size and such a significant nature to our community that we want to spend the time inviting industry experts to take part in the process,” Cr Habermann said.

“We want to challenge the business model through industry input.

“Consideration needs to be given to things including staffing numbers, the ability to facilitate supervision and really maximising the uptake of the community in regards to memberships and patronage.

“This will not only ensure greater value for money for our community but will also deliver the best possible outcome.”

Cr Habermann said Council was assured there would be no shortage of interest in the management of the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre.

“The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre is so much more than just a pool,” he said.

“This is about making the most of this facility and creating an experience for every member of our community to enjoy.

“We’re not aware of another facility of this nature in any surrounding regions, the closest comparisons being in South East Queensland and North Queensland.

“Industry leaders in this field are already contacting Council to make enquiries about managing this facility and we know we will have competition in this space.

“The management of this facility will require expert knowledge and experience so to ensure we get it right we need specialised opinion and input throughout the tender process.

“By seeking this input from industry leaders we’re ensuring we’re building the capability of our region.”

He said Council had taken learnings from other leading Queensland Councils which had further reinforced that this approach to ascertaining the management terms of the aquatic centre would be the best way forward.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

The walls and floor of the region’s first international competition standard pool have taken shape in what was required to be a millimetre perfect concrete pour.

Mayor Jack Dempsey said the region’s new Bundaberg Aquatic Centre was on track and on budget and Council was pleased with the quality of work being undertaken on-site.

“Over the length of the aquatic centre’s Olympic-sized pool the measurements had to remain within a matter of millimetres across its 50 m expanse,” Mayor Dempsey said.

“We’re really pleased with the pool construction and the precision that has gone into meeting these exacting FINA standards.

“By meeting these requirements it ensures that, when constructed, the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre will be capable of hosting state, national and even international competitions.

“The walls and floors of our two program pools are also taking shape which will deliver additional learn-to-swim and rehabilitation facilities that are fully accessible via ramps and lifts.”

The new pools within the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre are taking shape, including the FINA standard Olympic-sized pool in addition to the two smaller pools which are focussed on learn-to-swim and rehabilitation opportunities.

Mayor Dempsey said there would be plenty of work continuing on-site with the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre set to represent the region’s largest capital expenditure project for the upcoming financial year.

“The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre is a legacy project which will benefit our entire community from aspiring athletes to those who can utilise the warm program pool to achieve better health outcomes,” Mayor Dempsey said.

“It will be an asset for residents across the entire region and the economic, social and health benefits of this facility will be felt for many, many years to come.”

The next steps for the construction of the 50 m, international competition standard pool and the two program pools will include hydrostatic testing, which is already underway on the Olympic pool.

Council’s contractor will then commence construction of the basement plant room and pool concourses followed by tiling.

It is anticipated that construction of the structures which will sit over the pools and the buildings to service the site, including a kiosk and administration areas, will commence late 2023 or early 2024, weather permitting.

The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre has been funded with support from the Queensland Government Works for Queensland program.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

More than 30 local businesses have been involved in the build of the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre as piling finishes at the site and the next stages of construction commence.

Head contractor Woollam has been overseeing the project which, once complete, will deliver a year-round, modern facility for fitness, education, therapy and recreation users.

Project manager Richard Ash said piling works began in January and were the beginning of “construction proper”.

“Piling was completed three weeks ago with more than 800 concrete piles installed to provide the foundations for the pools and buildings,” he said.

“Moving forward, the concrete base of the 50-metre pool has been completed, with pouring of the base of the 25-metre pool and program pools commencing this month.

“Construction of the pool walls will follow.”

Richard said early-morning works were being undertaken during this time.

“There may be times over the next couple of months where work commences earlier than usual to allow for weather conditions and to ensure the safety of workers,” he said.

“The adjustment of working hours is primarily centred around concrete works, as this is a time and labour-intensive activity.

“These works will be conducted over the next couple of months and nearby residents will be regularly updated on progress.”

Local traffic management plans have been developed to ensure construction activities are closely managed to reduce impacts on local roads and the community.

About the Aquatic Centre

The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre will provide the community with a new, FINA standard, covered, 50m, heated competition pool to support regional and state level events and training camps.

Additional indoor heated pools and multi-purpose rooms will be available for fitness, teaching and therapy programs, creating a facility able to offer a range of comprehensive health and fitness services.

Council has elected to deliver the project in a single stage over approximately three financial years.

Read the full Bundaberg Now article here.