The future direction of the City of Coffs Harbour’s four aquatic facilities over the next 15 years has been confirmed, with major redevelopments proposed for the Coffs Harbour War Memorial Pool and Woolgoolga Pool, while Sawtell and Nana Glen facilities are set to be maintained and enhanced.
The City of Coffs Harbour Council adopted its Aquatic Facilities Strategy at its meeting on Thursday night, incorporating amendments to the draft strategy following extensive community feedback.
Key changes to the strategy include:
- Earlier delivery of a warm-water program pool at Coffs Harbour War Memorial Pool; and
- Retention, maintenance and enhancement of Sawtell Pool as a local-level facility for the life of the strategy, including retaining the existing 25-metre outdoor pool.
Under the strategy, Woolgoolga Pool would be redeveloped as a district-level facility at its current beachside location. Proposed upgrades include an eight-lane, 25-metre outdoor pool with capacity for future expansion to 50 metres, as well as a warm-water program pool designed for year-round use.
The Orara Valley Community Pool at Nana Glen, which operates under a lease arrangement, would continue as a local-level facility and receive maintenance and enhancement works.
“It was fantastic to see strong community engagement during the public exhibition period. More than 700 people completed the survey and we had 300-plus at community drop-in sessions,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.
“The adopted strategy gives us clarity on infrastructure and service levels and provides a roadmap of how to get there.
“Major projects will be subject to funding and that’s likely to be a mix of internal City money and from external sources such as State and Federal governments.”
The strategy identifies Coffs Harbour War Memorial Pool as a future regional-level facility and Woolgoolga Pool as a district-level facility.
Population growth forecasts underpinning the strategy indicate significant growth in the local government area’s central and northern catchments, including Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga, by 2041. Minimal growth is forecast for the southern catchment, which includes Sawtell.
“Initial steps for the War Memorial pool include a detailed site options assessment which analyses the opportunities to redevelop the existing site compared to alternative locations,” City Planning and Communities Director Ian Fitzgibbon said.
“Proposed Stage 1 works would cover a new warm water program pool, spa, sauna and associated amenities, and a better entrance to the facility to improve operational efficiency, enhance the customer experience, and strengthen safety.”
For Woolgoolga, the first stage would involve preparing a master plan for the broader Crown land site, with a focus on identifying opportunities to co-locate other community infrastructure and developing a funding strategy.
“It’s important to increase investment in Woolgoolga as the nearest City-owned pool is some 25 minutes away by car – so it’s a matter of equitable access,” Fitzgibbon said.
“Investment in aquatic facilities comes at significant cost, with the strategy identifying an indicative investment of $66.5 million required to upgrade the War Memorial and Woolgoolga pools.
“Council will actively pursue State and Federal government funding to support these upgrades, recognising that this level of expenditure is beyond the capacity of local government alone. These facilities are critical community assets, providing safe places for people to learn to swim, supporting water safety and education outcomes, and offering important opportunities for recreation, health and well-being across the community.”
The strategy proposes planning and preliminary design work for the Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga projects within the first two years.
“A progressive approach is outlined for the redevelopments, with Stage 1 works at Coffs being between years 3 and 4, and at Woolgoolga between years 4 and 8, should the required funding be obtained,” Fitzgibbon said.
The strategy also outlines a range of operational and program priorities, including:
- Expanding learn-to-swim programs to improve water safety, education and health outcomes;
- Improving operational efficiencies to reduce the cost burden on ratepayers;
- Maintaining opening hours at financially sustainable levels while ensuring appropriate community access and activation; and
- Exploring partnership and sponsorship opportunities to help reduce operating costs.
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