The price of Bundaberg’s new Aquatic Centre has almost doubled compared to original estimates.
In 2021 it was estimated the project would cost $45 million which was updated the following year to around $75 million.
The new Council has now revealed the full budget for the construction following a strong community push.
The report outlined the full array of project expenditure including the construction contract, design contract, project management, contract administration, waste disposal and ancillary and statutory costs at a total forecast value of $89,668,823.
“85 per cent of that is being covered by the ratepayers of Bundaberg so that’s quite significant and I’m not certain that the ratepayers were aware of that at the time that the pool was decided by the [former] Council,” says Mayor Helen Blackburn.
“The initial costs were estimates and then once the Council decided that they were going to be providing the entire project we’ve got the full costs and that’s the $89 million.”
Deputy Mayor Tracey McPhee hopes the report adds more transparency.
“There was a motion that was put forward to the last Council and myself and several other councillors did vote for those costs to be fully made transparent however that vote didn’t get up so we didn’t know the full, significant costs,” she says.
“But as far as I’ve been following the project it was always anticipated to be $75 million.”
The maintenance costs are still unknown. They are part of a leasing program that’s currently out to tender.
Prior to being elected in March, it appeared Mayor Blackburn was opposed to the project.
“This is a project that’s been inherited by this Council and I have to be impressed with the size of the project and the ability for this to be something that the community can look forward to using for many, many years to come into the future,” she says.
“My disdain was more around destruction of the Anzac Pool facility and not so much about the Aquatic Centre.”
Construction began in October 2022 and is scheduled to be complete in late February 2025.
Cr McPhee says accessibility was a large consideration in the planning process.
“From an adult accessible changing table to a ramp entry in all three pools accessibility has been a major focus for this project,” Cr McPhee says.
“The two competition pools will also be fitted with lifts with 2 m depth of the 50 m pool, depth ranges from 1.2 m to 1.8 m for the indoor 25 m lap pool and a depth range of 90 cm to 1.4 m for the 25 m heated program and learn to swim pool.”
“This will ensure important community uses for rehabilitation, exercise, sport and recreation, and learn-to-swim programs can be accommodated within the facility all year round.”
It’s hoped the facility and the FINA standard pool will attract high level training and competition events, bringing an economic boost to the community.
The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre project is funded by Bundaberg Regional Council with over $13 million in support from the State Government Works for Queensland program.
Bundaberg Aquatic Centre construction stats:
• Approximately 560 tonnes of structural steel
• Approximately 120 tonnes of roof purlins
• Approximately 10,000m² of surface area requiring about 6139 litres of protective paint.
