Wallan aquatic centre location finalised

A proposed aquatic and leisure centre will be located at 300 Northern Highway, Wallan, on the south side of Greenhill Reserve, but the project may not go ahead without external funding.

Mitchell Shire councillors voted unanimously in support of the recommendation to endorse 300 Northern Highway, Wallan as the site for the aquatic and leisure centre, noting the timing for the delivery of the centre is unknown with the project only proceeding if substantial financial contributions from external sources are secured.

Cr Rob Eldridge said it had been a long road with the planning of the centre.

“This has been a long, and in many ways torturous road, but now we’re at somewhere we can think about building the aquatic centre,” he said.

“The feasibility that has been proposed is outlining three sites that could be used but [300 Northern Highway] is the only practical one.”

In December 2022, the project was estimated to be $85 million, plus GST.

Upgrades to roads or provisions of authority services infrastructure external to the site, including water, sewerage, power and telecommunications, were also not included in that total.

The figure is only indicative and will adjust as planning proceeds and construction timing is known.

Once planning is complete council will begin an advocacy campaign to attract funding.

“It is worth noting that this project is dependent on external funding and you’ll note it’s estimated to be about $85 million, and obviously with our budget this isn’t something we’re going to be able to tip in and support,” Cr Eldridge said.

“Now we’ve got a site we can very strongly advocate for, I suppose, federal and state funding for this. It’s something that is urgently needed.”

A community consultation and engagement program were undertaken between June and September 2019.

Ninety-three per cent of respondents believed the proposed aquatic and leisure centre is important and more than two-thirds of respondents indicated they would like a centre five to 15 minute from home.

Respondents said the centre must be of sufficient size to cater to current and future populations and must have adequate carparking.

An assessment of the appropriate configuration of the aquatic facility was undertaken with the preferred option chosen to appropriately manage construction expense and operating costs.

Council advised that larger pools, 50 metres in length rather than 25 metres, and inclusion of outdoor leisure water can significantly increase construction and operational cost.

The proposed facility will therefore include an eight-lane, 25-metre indoor heated pool; 800m2 of internal leisure water; a 20-metre x 15-metre warm exercise pool, 150m2 aquatic education pool; a spa, sauna and steam room; 700m2 gymnasium; 250m2 group fitness room; 150m2 mind, body and soul studio, 80m2 cycle studio, 80m2 community meeting room, 190m2 occasional childcare/program room; a café with seating for 50 people; and a 10m2 prayer room, change rooms, two accessible changerooms, health consult suites and offices.

“I’m very pleased with this. It’s disappointing it’s taken so long. It’s interesting that the community consultation was held in 2019 and it’s now 2023,” Cr Eldridge said.

“I understand COVID has been a factor in that but it’s also interesting to note that 93 per cent of respondents from the survey thought the leisure centre was an important item for the community. It has very strong community support and that will come as no surprise to anybody.”

Cr Bob Cornish said he hoped residents read the report from the council’s agenda.

“I hope everyone down south and from surrounds take time to look at pages 10 and 11,” he said.

“I hope people take the time to read it and provide feedback to council so we can finally move forward and get a start on this very important project.”