The Bundaberg Special School has thrown its support behind the new Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre which, once constructed, will be available for students to participate in swimming lessons through the use of accessible equipment.

The development is set to commence construction later this year with the overall project to feature a 50 metre, heated, undercover competition pool, a 25-metre heated indoor pool, an indoor program pool, a café and spectator area.

It will also include a range of equipment such as lifts, hoists, ramps and an adult accessible changeroom, with the design heavily focused on providing a facility for all abilities.

Teacher Brooke Taylor said consultation with Bundaberg Regional Council had given the school an opportunity to discuss the needs and wants of their students when it came to accessing the new pool facility.

“Council came to observe the hoisting procedures of our wheelchair students entering and exiting the pool and we discussed how difficult it is for our students and staff having limited access to pools with wheelchair access.”

She said many of the Bundaberg Special School students loved aquatic activities but greater accessibility was needed.

“With the physical needs of a number of our students, swimming mitigates so much of the pain and strain on their muscles and bodies in general and allows them to experience the freedom of being in the water and feel comfortable.”

Brooke said the new aquatic facility would benefit students on a number of different levels.

“Swimming improves overall general health, it improves heart and lung health, motor skills, coordination, muscle strength, flexibility and helps maintain a healthy weight,” she said.

“These aspects are an integral part of staying happy and healthy.

“Anything we can do to support this will give our students, and others, the opportunity to live as freely and autonomously as possible.”

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

Did you know the Anzac Park redevelopment will feature an adventure playground with water play, an entertainment space for outdoor concerts, improved riverside access and an Anzac memorial walk?

I know many people who rarely visit this part of Bundaberg, which given its location along the Burnett River, should be our showcase.

It’s been recognised through multiple master plans over several decades that the key to CBD invigoration is activating the riverside and linking it with the shopping precinct. Think South Bank and Rockhampton.

Recent commentary has focused on the closure of Anzac Pool but hasn’t always considered the broader context, including the need to assist people with disabilities.

Anzac Pool isn’t closing just because there will be a new regional aquatic facility, it’s closing to enable revitalisation of the CBD and riverside.

🏊 Council received $5 million from the Federal Government for this project and I’m grateful to the Member for Hinkler, Keith Pitt, for his support.

Mr Pitt also secured $32 million to divert heavy traffic from Quay Street, which is another piece of the jigsaw.

Local Government seeks to manage major projects as seamlessly as possible, but sometimes we’re beholden to what the State and Federal Governments decide in terms of planning and funding.

For instance, the Quay Street diversion can’t go ahead until the State completes a Bundaberg Integrated Transport Study, which includes consideration of a third river crossing.

A new river crossing would link future industrial growth with the Port of Bundaberg. That’s an expensive, long-term project and will require federal support to go ahead.

The flood levee is also a critical component. In addition to protecting people, homes, businesses and jobs it will unlock public and private investment in the CBD and East Bundaberg, improving links between the riverside, shopping areas and tourism attractions.

There needs to be a vision for all these dominoes to fall in the right place at the right time, and that’s what I’m trying to foresee as clearly as possible despite so many potential obstacles.

🏊 I understand that regular users of Anzac Pool have an emotional attachment to the site and feel disappointed there will be a gap before the new aquatic centre opens.

Council staff will be liaising with public and private pool operators and schools to manage demand for pool access during the transition, including additional dedicated use for competition and lap swimmers at Norville. This will be communicated before the 2022-23 summer season.

I’m sorry for the inconvenience this will cause but genuinely believe the end result will outweigh the temporary loss.

Anzac Pool is an ageing, deteriorating asset and can’t be redeveloped to an acceptable modern standard at the same site. It simply isn’t practical to expand the pool from six lanes to eight with associated amenities.

In the 2020-21 season, Anzac Pool attracted 24,591 visitors compared with 64,874 at Norville while Norville had 22,223 child visitors compared with Anzac 2869.

Children can’t vote at the ballot box but they have voted with their flippers.

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

What we’re talking about is generational infrastructure. The riverside precinct and regional aquatic facility will serve the next 50 years of Bundaberg residents and beyond.

🏊 There was no deception regarding the closure of Anzac Pool. Most of the public statements from Council referred to ensuring a smooth transition and minimising disruption.

Up until late 2021, I believed the new aquatic facility would be built before the Anzac Park redevelopment.

In June 2021, the State Government announced $13 million towards the aquatic centre and asked that it be finished by the end of 2024.

In October 2021, the Federal Government announced $5 million towards the Anzac Park redevelopment with a condition it must be finished by December 2023.

That necessarily required a review of the planning and timeframes for both projects.

🏊 Every dollar that Council receives from the State and Federal Governments is a dollar less that ratepayers have to contribute.

Previous councils have been unable to go ahead with major social infrastructure because of funding constraints.

Thanks to federal and state support we’re now in a position where we can leave a lasting legacy to create new memories for future generations.

Lifts, hoists, ramps and an adult accessible changeroom are some of the accessible features of the Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre with local disability organisations providing input into the plans.

As part of a community consultation process, organisations including Spinal Life Australia have provided feedback on the major project.

Set to start construction later this year, the Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre will feature a 50 metre, heated, undercover competition pool, a 25-metre heated indoor pool, an indoor program pool, a café and spectator area.

Not only will it be a training ground for world-class local athletes, but it will also be a recreational and remedial space for the whole community to enjoy.

Spinal Life Australia peer support volunteer Pat Allison has welcomed plans to construct a modern aquatic facility accessible to all.

Pat said she believed the facility would be a positive addition to the Bundaberg Region, providing a space for the entire community to enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

“It's user-friendly for all, especially members of the disability sector,” she said.

“The accessible ramp at the side of the pool is well designed, the accessible toilet and shower with the lift table and extended shower hose is excellent.”

Pat said many people who had injuries or a disability used swimming as a way to exercise.

“Two members that I know of from Bundaberg Spinal Life use swimming for exercise with limited facilities available,” she said.

“I hope the Aquatic Centre will be built and finished so we can all benefit.”

Plans to progress the Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre are well underway, with Council recently applying for additional grant funding to support the development.

Mayor Jack Dempsey said the centre was a generational benefit that would create economic, health and social benefits for many years to come.

“Council has applied for a grant from the Federal Government under Round 6 of the Building Better Region Fund to support delivery of the pool,” Mayor Dempsey said.

“This flows on from the more than $13 million committed from the State Government, with the application garnering support from many local sporting and community groups who are eager to see this development go ahead.”

Mayor Dempsey said the three pools featured in the Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre went above and beyond the requirements for accessibility stipulated in the National Construction Code.

“Discussions with pool designers, physio therapists and Spinal Life advocates have helped in Council's understanding of exactly what is needed to ensure everyone in the community can enjoy and access the Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre,” he said.

“This includes Bundaberg’s first adult accessible change room which will feature a lift and changing table.

“This room can also be used to transfer people from their own chair into a waterproof chair.”

The Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre will begin construction mid-year and is expected to generate more than 120 jobs during the initial stages.

Photo caption: Spinal Life Australia peer support volunteer Pat Allison has welcomed plans to construct a modern aquatic facility accessible to all.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

An upcoming information session will assist local contractors keen to help deliver the Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre, the single biggest contract in Bundaberg Regional Council’s history.

Council has shortlisted potential head contractors and will soon issue a request for tender to them for the delivery of this generational project which will require specialised skills and expertise.

The new facility will provide state-of-the-art and year-round training, learn to swim and remedial facilities to benefit every community member young and old.

With the scale of the contract bigger than anything undertaken by Bundaberg Regional Council before, Executive Director of Economic Development and Strategic Projects Ben Artup said it was more than just building a pool.

“There’s earthworks, concreting, structural steel, toilets and amenities, office areas and landscaping amongst a myriad of other trade packages involved in the project,” Ben said.

“Within this work there are countless opportunities for motivated contractors and Council wants to encourage our local contractors to apply for as many of these opportunities as possible.

“The intent of the upcoming information session is to introduce local contractors to the head contractors so that they can be included in their tender submission.”

The facility’s Olympic pool must meet FINA’s exacting standards if it is to host international standard competitions.

Ben said there was minimal margin for error to construct a pool in accordance with those standards.

“Any Olympic pool needs to be 50m long, but to qualify to host a FINA event it cannot even be a millimetre shorter than 50m and no more than 10mm longer than 50m,” Ben explained.

Cardno Civil Engineering Principal Megan Kraft, who has been leading the team of designers and expert consultants on the plans for the facility, said experience was key for a project of this nature.

“The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre is a competition standard facility that includes significant architectural, structural and aquatic features,” Megan said.

“Due to the complexity of the construction methods and size of the proposed facility we would expect that a contractor with experience in delivering similar facilities within Australia will be most suited.”

Ben said it was on this basis that Council undertook an open Expression of Interest seeking head contractors with experience delivering facilities such as the Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre.

“With potential suppliers now identified Council wants to ensure they are aware of, and in contact with, local sub-contractors capable of completing a lot of the work.”

Ben said local contractors who were keen to contribute to this significant project should attend an upcoming workshop to learn more about the tender.

“It will be a requirement for the successful head contractor to demonstrate local opportunities throughout the project so this information session is about networking and ensuring local contractors are prepared to take part.

“This is an incredible opportunity to be a part of a very complex and demanding construction project which will leave a legacy for future generations.”

The session will be held at the Bundaberg Multiplex commencing at 11 am on Thursday 10 March 2022.

The Queensland Government Public Health and Social Measures linked to vaccination status Direction applies to the Bundaberg Multiplex.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

The new aquatic facility will be a FINA-standard complex featuring a 50-metre, heated, undercover competition pool

Construction of the state-of-the-art Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre, capable of hosting international standard events, will start next year after funding was announced today.

The FINA-standard complex will feature a 50-metre, heated, undercover competition pool, cafe and grassed spectator area.

Assistant Minister for Local Government Nikki Boyd and Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith joined Mayor Jack Dempsey to confirm the State Government had approved Bundaberg Regional Council’s request to allocate the latest round of Works for Queensland funding to the project.

The announcement will see the State Government contribute over $13 million towards the more than $45 million project.

Mayor Dempsey said it was an important day for the region’s future, with the state’s funding commitment coming just weeks away from the Council’s budget.

A cafe and grassed spectator area are part of the plans for the Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre

“The Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre is a once-in-a-generation project and will be a gamechanger for our region,” Mayor Dempsey said.

“It will be a training ground for world-class local athletes, it will attract a high level of competition with all of the media coverage and visitors that come along with that.

“The economic, social and health benefits of this facility will be felt for many, many years to come.

“I’ve been advocating for the Bundaberg Region to host training and competition for the 2032 Olympics if Queensland’s bid is successful – this new aquatic centre would be suitable as an Olympics training base.”

The Olympic-sized pool would be capable of hosting international sporting events

Mayor Dempsey thanked the State Government for its support and said he hoped the Federal Government will also provide assistance.

“Council made an application to the Federal Government under its Building Better Regions Fund,” he said.

“We’ve missed out on grants through this program over recent years and hope for a successful outcome this time.

“Our intention is to deliver all stages of this project in the next three years.”

Assistant Minister for Local Government Nikki Boyd said the centre was a “jobs generator”, supporting local work throughout every aspect of the build and into the future.

“This facility will support over 126 jobs throughout construction and 40 ongoing jobs,” she said.

“It's absolutely a job creating project but also invests in the liveability of the city as well.

“This project is about attracting people to come and work in regional areas like Bundaberg and to stay in regional areas.”

Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith said the funding was going towards “building something big” for the region.

“When you build the best facilities you give young athletes the best opportunity to go and achieve their dreams,” he said.

“This Olympic-sized swimming pool is really going to kickstart something for our young swimmers.”

Mayor Dempsey said the commitment to the Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre was also a catalyst for the redevelopment of Anzac Park.

“The Anzac Park redevelopment will activate the riverfront and make it a vibrant and sought-after community space.”

He reiterated that Anzac Pool would remain operational during construction until a transition timeline to the new aquatic facility could be finalised.

Anyone who wants to share their memories of Anzac Pool can participate in a Council project to share their stories of the facility.

Read the Bundaberg Now story here.

Concept plans have been unveiled for the proposed Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre, which aims to deliver a state-of-the-art heated pool to promote sports, health and recreation.

Council has identified the Multiplex precinct as the preferred site for a FINA-standard complex with a retractable roof, cafe and grassed spectator area.

Mayor Jack Dempsey said the project will deliver one of the most significant sports and recreation facilities in the modern history of Bundaberg.

“It will provide year-round fitness, health and leisure activities, and has the ability to attract regional and state events,” he said.

“We’ve listened to the community and want to ensure a smooth transition from the historic Anzac Park Pool to a new and improved aquatic centre.

“The riverside precinct will be opened up to create a vibrant community space which connects to the CBD.”

Concept plans have also been released for the $19 million redevelopment of Anzac Park.

The project will create new recreational areas, a flexible outdoor event space and a memorial avenue commemorating the region's service personnel.

A Council fact sheet says the new 50-metre, heated competition pool at the Multiplex will support regional and state level events and training camps.

“Subsequent stages of the project will include additional indoor pools as well as fitness, teaching and therapy rooms, creating a facility able to offer comprehensive fitness and health services,” the fact sheet says.

“Co-locating the Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Facility with the Bundaberg Multiplex, which includes a large modern conference centre and the Bundaberg PCYC, will leverage previous investment and create a defined, branded high performance-based precinct.”

Stage one of the regional aquatic centre is estimated to cost $23.8 million and contribute $22.5 million to gross regional product, including $7.8 million directly.

Economic modelling suggests 126 full-time jobs during construction and 13 directly when operating.

Anzac Park recreation area proposed

Council’s Executive Director Strategic Projects and Economic Development, Ben Artup, said funding applications will be submitted to state and federal governments for both projects.

“These two exciting projects will leave a generational legacy through important social infrastructure,” he said.

“The Anzac Park redevelopment will unlock the riverside precinct as community space for recreation and entertainment including a sound shell, water play feature and adventure playground.

“A new state-of-the-art regional aquatic centre near the Multiplex will provide a modern swimming facility for competitive events and deliver year-round health benefits.”

Mr Artup said the Anzac tradition would continue to be integral at Anzac Park and the pool’s heritage would be respected.

“It’s important to note that Council will coordinate the closure of the old pool with the opening of the new aquatic centre to minimise disruption,” he said.

“Timeframes for construction will depend on the success of funding applications.”

https://www.bundabergnow.com/2020/09/11/bundaberg-regional-aquatic-centre-concept-plans-unveiled/