Shire of Irwin ATTACHMENTS – ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING 28 APRIL 2015
ATTACHMENTS TO COUNCIL ITEMS
ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING 28 APRIL 2015
ATTACHMENT:CC04 Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study
SHIRE OF IRWIN
AQUATIC FACILITIES FEASIBILITY STUDY
FINAL REPORT SEPTEMBER 2014 CONTENTS
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 2 2 INTRODUCTION ...... 6 3 BACKGROUND ...... 7 4 DEMOGRAPHIC REVIEW ...... 8 5 RELEVANT INDUSTRY TRENDS ...... 11
5.1 BENEFITS OF PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS ...... 11 5.2 PARTICIPATION ...... 12 5.3 REGIONAL AQUATIC FACILITIES ...... 13 5.4 FACILITY DESIGN ...... 13 5.5 POOL HEATING ...... 15 5.6 WATER SAVING MEASURES...... 15 5.7 STAFFING ...... 16 5.8 INDOOR AQUATIC CENTRES IN REGIONAL AREAS ...... 16 5.9 SHARK BARRIERS ...... 17 5.10 MULTI-USE HYDROTHERAPY POOLS ...... 18 6 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION ...... 19
6.1 CONSULTATION KEY FINDINGS ...... 19 6.2 SURVEY RESULTS ...... 20 6.3 FEEDBACK FROM COMMUNITY DROP IN SESSIONS ...... 25 6.4 PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS ...... 25 7 COMPARATIVE REVIEW ...... 27
7.1 PROVISION OF POOLS IN COASTAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES ...... 27 7.2 INDOOR LAP POOLS ...... 28 7.3 MULTI-USE HYDROTHERAPY POOLS ...... 30 7.4 OUTDOOR POOLS ...... 31 7.5 OCEAN POOLS ...... 32 8 NEEDS ANALYSIS ...... 35
8.1 IDENTIFIED NEEDS ...... 35 8.2 FACILITY DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS ...... 36 9 COST ESTIMATES ...... 41 10 POTENTIAL OPERATING BUDGETS ...... 43
10.1 OUTDOOR POOL OPERATING BUDGET ...... 43 10.2 MULTI-USE HYDROTHERAPY POOL OPERATING BUDGET ...... 45 10.3 OCEAN POOL OPERATING BUDGET ...... 47 11 OPENING HOURS AND FEES AND CHARGES ...... 48
11.1 OUTDOOR POOL ...... 48 11.2 MULTI-USE HYDROTHERAPY POOL ...... 49 12 LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS ...... 50 13 FUNDING AND GRANTS ...... 51 14 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 54 15 APPENDICES ...... 55
1 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The provision of an Aquatic Facility within the Shire of Irwin has been the subject of debate within the community for several decades. There has been a sustained local interest in the establishment of a “traditional” aquatic facility (i.e. chlorinated 25m or 50m lap pool) within a section of the community and an ocean pool has been mooted in the past and is indicatively featured in the recently developed Foreshore Master Plan. More recently an indoor heated pool such as a hydrotherapy pool has also featured highly in representations to Council, particularly from the aged community. This Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study will enable the Shire of Irwin to take an integrated and co-ordinated approach to planning for meeting the current and future aquatic needs of the community.
Four aquatic facility options have been the primary focus of this Study: . Traditional Outdoor Pool . Traditional Indoor Pool . Ocean Pool (in the form of a traditional pool with ocean water pumped in and out) . Hydrotherapy Pool
1.1 Needs Analysis
Two clear needs have arisen from the research and consultation undertaken for this report. They are:
A multi-use hydrotherapy pool to enable seniors and people with disabilities to be active, to aid peoples’ recovery from operations and injuries and to provide warm water program opportunities such as aquarobics and learn to swim classes for young children.
A multi-purpose lap pool to enable children and adults to train and participate in organised swimming, and provide a protected, safe and more accessible option for swimming for those who are unable or unwilling to swim in the ocean.
The need for a multi-use hydrotherapy pool is demonstrated through: . Increasing demand from an already significantly aged local population that is projected to continue to age. . The strong support it received in the community survey and community consultation sessions, with the hydrotherapy pool being ranked as the most important facility that the Shire should provide. . The ability of a multi-use hydrotherapy pool to be utilised for warm water programs such as aquarobics, mother and baby classes and learn to swim (LTS). . The unique ability of a hydrotherapy pool to enable people with severe disabilities and the frail to freely move their limbs which they may otherwise find very difficult to do. (Very important for maintaining and improving their health and well being). . The travel to Geraldton is difficult and costly for the frail and elderly and their use of the Geraldton hydrotherapy pool is therefore infrequent.
2 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study The need for a multi-purpose lap pool is demonstrated through: . Physical activity participation statistics reveal that swimming is the number one organised physical activity participated in by children and the third highest physical activity participated in by adults (behind walking and aerobics/fitness). . A formal lap pool provides the opportunity for local children and adults to train and compete in club swimming and for carnivals to be hosted in the Shire. . The strong support it received in the community survey and community consultation sessions, with an indoor lap pool being ranked as the third most important facility that the Shire should provide (behind hydrotherapy and warm water program pools). . It is a safer and more accessible place to swim for people of varying ages and mobility. Some people find it too difficult to access the water across the sand and are too unsteady on their feet to handle even small waves. . It is a significantly more reliable venue than the ocean to conduct swimming programs, even if it is outdoors as it can still be protected from prevailing winds.
The need for a multi-use hydrotherapy pool is seen as being the highest priority need for the Shire. This is based on the community consultation process providing clear feedback that a hydrotherapy pool was of highest importance and also due to the observation that the Shire already provides numerous sport and recreation options for the physically able, but limited options for less able bodied people including seniors, people with disabilities, people with injuries and people recovering from surgery. Whilst able bodied people can easily utilise the ocean for swimming, it is difficult or not possible for less able bodied people to do the same. Therefore a highly accessible aquatic facility located within the Shire could be considered to fill the largest gap in provision of aquatic opportunities.
A multi-purpose lap pool is also seen as very important to the community as a more accessible and reliable place to learn to swim, train and compete. A multi-purpose lap pool could therefore be seen as a potential Stage 2 aquatic facility development for the Shire. Such a pool could be provided as a year round indoor facility, or as a seasonal outdoor pool, with the former being more desirable amongst the community but also significantly more costly to construct and operate.
Ocean Pool An ocean pool in the same form as the proposed outdoor pool does not provide the same level of benefits to the community as a traditional outdoor pool. The ocean pool would not be able to be heated or have wind barrier protection. Whilst an outdoor pool at the beach could be a significant attraction for locals and tourists and make swimming in ocean water more accessible to people with mobility issues, it would still be subject to the strong winds that are a feature of the Shire’s coastline. The frequent cleaning requirements of ocean pools due to rapid algae growth is also an issue that needs to be considered.
Indoor Lap/Leisure Pool An indoor lap pool is highly desired by the community (ranking third in level of importance behind hydrotherapy pool and warm water program pool) however the cost is very high both to construct (and therefore replace) and to operate and maintain. Of the regional indoor aquatic facilities examined (with populations under 10,000), the operating deficits ranged from $222,000 p.a. to $700,000, excluding depreciation.
3 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study Should the Shire of Irwin develop a multi-use hydrotherapy pool, residents will have immediate access to a year round indoor heated facility. The additional development of a well protected seasonal outdoor pool with solar heating would provide lap swimming and competition opportunities in a comfortable environment for 6 months of the year. With this level of provision, residents of the Shire of Irwin would have a higher standard of aquatic facility provision than most other regional LGA’s of its size.
1.2 Financial Analysis
To enable comparison between the four aquatic facility options considered in this report indicative construction cost estimates (Section 9), operating budgets (Section 10) and a life cycle cost analysis (Section 12) have been prepared.
The indicative specifications for each of the aquatic facility options can be seen in Section 9 of this report. The total construction cost estimates in today’s costs are as follows:
Total Construction Cost Aquatic Facility Estimate Ex GST Multi-Purpose Hydrotherapy Pool 10m x 6m $1.74 million Multi-Purpose Outdoor 6 Lane 25m Lap Pool with Leisure/LTS $4.18 million area attached Upgrade the Multi–Purpose Outdoor pool to indoor in future $5.05 million Ocean Pool 6 Lane 25m Lap Pool with Leisure/LTS area attached, $2.46 million ocean water pumped in and out
These cost estimates show the significant costs associated with aquatic facility development, noting that the facilities specified are considered moderate when compared to other regional facilities. It also shows that the development of an indoor 6 lane 25m lap pool with a leisure/LTS area attached would cost over $9 million in today’s dollar values.
The Life Cycle Costs of these facilities, including indicative operating budgets prepared for the Hydrotherapy Pool, Multi-Purpose Outdoor Pool and Ocean Pool are as follows:
Multi-Use Multi-Use Ocean Pool Indoor Pool Hydro Pool Outdoor Pool Major Maintenance/Renewal 15,570 38,375 20,225 85,825 (1.5% of direct capital costs) Replacement 43,447 104,508 61,620 230,816 (40 year lifespan) Operating Deficit 41,850 89,150 65,000 250,000 Total Annual LCC $100,867 $232,033 $146,845 $566,641
Overall it can be seen that the total annual costs associated with operating, maintaining and eventually replacing aquatic facilities are significant, particularly when considered in light of the fact that the Shire’s total income from all funding sources is projected to be $10.63 million in the 2014/15 financial year. Ultimately it is a decision of the Council to determine what level of aquatic facility provision is/is not feasible for the Shire to provide.
4 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 1.3 Recommendations
It is recommended that the Shire of Irwin:
1. Receive the Shire of Irwin Aquatics Feasibility Study report.
2. Recognise that a hydrotherapy pool will meet the greatest level of need for the community and is the first priority aquatic facility development for the Shire.
3. Recognise that a well protected, seasonal, outdoor pool with solar heating for added comfort is a more financially sustainable level of aquatic facility provision than an indoor pool and is the second priority aquatic facility development for the Shire.
4. Recognise that an Ocean Pool in the form of an ocean water fed pool via pumps has significant management and maintenance considerations and that there may be alternative options for providing a sustainable enhanced ocean swimming area for investigation.
5 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 2 INTRODUCTION
The Shire of Irwin engaged A Balanced View (ABV) Leisure Consultancy Services to conduct the Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study. The study will assist the Shire in meeting a key objective of its Strategic Community Plan 2012-2022. Objective Three within the section ‘Social Responsibilities’ states “A friendly, safe and engaged community enjoying a quality lifestyle and a diverse range of services, programs and facilities.”
One of the steps identified in the Strategic Community Plan to meet this objective is to undertake a needs analysis and feasibility study for aquatic facilities. The completion of an Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study will enable the Shire of Irwin to take an integrated and co-ordinated approach to planning for meeting the aquatic needs of the community, ensuring that proposed developments are catering to the recreation needs of its facilities, clubs, community members and visitors for the next ten plus years.
The scope of this project includes the following key components: Needs Assessment . Background research including review of any relevant documents and reports, demographic analysis, and relevant industry trends in swimming participation and regional aquatic facility provision. . Consider traditional indoor and outdoor pool options, a hydrotherapy pool and an ocean pool option. . Identify potential catchments for an aquatic facility in the Shire of Irwin and potential user groups including - Vac swim, learn to swim classes, swimming club, group fitness and school. . Comparative review of aquatic facility provision in other regional communities with similar characteristics or relevance to the Shire of Irwin. . Extensive consultation with the community, key stakeholders, councillors and senior staff. . Identify likely social and economic benefits of providing an Aquatic Facility within the Shire of Irwin. . Analysis of need from research and consultation undertaken and development of options to meet those needs. Feasibility Study . Identify the type of aquatic facility the needs assessment indicated is appropriate. . Identify potential sites for such a facility. . Provide indicative capital and operational costs for a traditional pool and an ocean pool. . Report on the social, economic and environmental sustainability of an Aquatic facility. . Identify management options and recommend management structure for in house management. . Recommend a fee structure for a traditional facility with an estimate of attendances and income for a three year period. . Provide recommendations to Council on the feasibility and financial viability of the proposal.
The issue of aquatic facility provision has seen a high degree of community interest, with a number of strong opinions expressed as to what aquatic facilities are needed for the Shire. This study aims to provide council with a clear and concise assessment of what type of aquatic facilities will be appropriate to meet the current and future needs of the community and is feasible to provide and maintain over the long term.
6 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 3 BACKGROUND
The Shire of Irwin is a coastal community of approximately 3,780 residents. The highly favourable climate and relaxed lifestyle is a strong drawcard for retirees who make up a significant proportion of the population. Dongara and Port Denison are the main town sites of the Shire of Irwin, located on the Batavia Coast 355km north of Perth and 65km south of the regional city of Geraldton. There is a diverse range of industries including agriculture, fishing, mining and tourism which is seeing steady growth since the opening of Indian Ocean Drive.
With a 2013 Estimated Resident Population from the Australian Bureau of Statistics of 3,780, the Shire has experienced a growth in resident population of 28% in the decade from 2003 to 2013. Population forecasting reports indicate an upward population trend is predicted to continue in the future with the population forecast to increase by 1,000 people over the next ten years.
The Shire of Irwin community has a strong sporting culture and residents have access to a wide variety of quality sporting and recreational facilities and activities although at present, access to aquatic facilities are limited to using the beach or travelling to Geraldton to use the Aquarena (regional aquatic centre). The age demographic of the resident population indicates the proportion of people aged from 55 to 84 years (33.8%) is noticeably higher than the State average (22.1%) signifying that accessibility and the ability to cater for exercise and rehabilitation will be important factors in this study.
The provision of an aquatic facility within the Shire of Irwin has been the subject of debate within the community for several decades. The community consultation process of the Strategic Community Plan and the subsequent Recreation Needs Analysis have again emphasised a proportion of the community desire some form of aquatic facility. There has been a sustained local interest in the establishment of a “traditional” aquatic facility (i.e. chlorinated 25m or 50m lap pool) within a section of the community and an ocean pool has been mooted in the past and is indicatively featured in the recently developed Foreshore Master Plan. More recently an indoor heated pool such as a hydrotherapy pool has also featured in representations to Council, particularly from the aged community.
Note: the term “Ocean Pool” covers a variety of ocean water facilities including rock pools, tidal/wave lap pools (rely on waves/tides to flush the water) and ocean water fed pools that are built on the foreshore and have ocean water pumped in and pumped out. This report specifically investigates an ocean water fed pool as it is the only type of ocean pool that can adequately cater for organised swimming as well as recreational swimming.
7 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 4 DEMOGRAPHIC REVIEW
4.1 Shire of Irwin Demographic Profile
When comparing the Shire of Irwin as a Local Government Authority to the State overall, the following key comparisons can be made:
Table 1. Shire of Irwin Demographic Overview Difference of Category Shire of Irwin LGA WA Irwin LGA from WA Population (Estimated Resident Population 30 June 3,780 2,349,325 - 2013) Median Age 44 37 +7 years
Born in Australia 80.9% 62.9% +28.6% Median Weekly Household $995 $1,415 -29.7% Income Single Parent Families 10.5% 14.5% -27.6% Index of Relative Socio- Economic Advantage and 41st percentile - - Disadvantage* * Compared to other West Australian LGA’s, the Shire of Irwin ranks in the 41st Percentile (1 being the lowest, 100 being the highest).
Figure 1. Shire of Irwin Age Distribution Profile
9
8
7
6
5 Irwin 4 WA 3
2
1
0
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing, 2011. Regional Population Growth Australia, 3218.0 ABS, 2014 2033.0.55.001 Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), ABS, 2011
8 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study The key feature of these statistics is the vastly lower proportion of older teenagers and young adults in the Shire of Irwin, and the significantly higher proportion of persons aged over 55 as compared to the WA average. This is typical of many rural areas where people have to relocate to the major regional city centres or Perth to access higher education and career opportunities. The older population age difference is also accentuated through the Shire of Irwin being seen as a highly desirable coastal location to retire to.
An implication for aquatic facilities is that older people tend to have a preference for indoor heated pools due to the significant physical rehabilitation benefits they provide as well as being in a more comfortable and accessible environment with support on hand.
The below average weekly household income and the below average Socio Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) ranking suggest that cost may be a significant barrier to entry to aquatic facilities for a significant proportion of residents and should be considered in decision making that may affect entry/participation fees.
4.2 Population Projections
During the decade from 2003 – 2013, the Shire of Irwin’s population grew by 837 persons (24%), as shown in the graph below:
Estimated Resident Population (ABS) 4000
3500 3780 3672 3748 3509 3569 3403 3000 3281 3143 3218 2943 2957 2500
2000 Estimated Resident Population (ABS) 1500
1000
500
0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Regional Population Growth Australia, 3218.0 ABS, 2014
It is anticipated the population will continue to grow into the future. The Shire’s Strategic Community Plan 2012-2022 reports that an increase in population of 1,000 has been projected over the next 10 years (27% increase on the 2012 population). These figures are from the latest population forecast document released by the WA Planning Commission (WAPC): WA Tomorrow Population Report No. 7. Interestingly, the WA Tomorrow Report shows that most of the growth will occur in the 0-19 and 60+ age groups, as seen in the following graph:
9 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study
Age Profile Change 2006 - 2026
WA Tomorrow Population Report No. 7. Western Australian Planning Commission
Older people and parents with young children tend to be the strongest proponents of indoor warm water pools, therefore this future demographic age profile suggests the community desire for such a facility will increase under such a scenario. The strong growth in children and youth will also result in increased demand for leisure and lap swimming facilities as organized swimming is one of the highest participation activities amongst these age groups.
10 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 5 RELEVANT INDUSTRY TRENDS
5.1 Benefits of Public Swimming Pools
Swimming is one of Australia’s most popular physically active recreation past times as the following participation statistics indicate. Specific physical benefits from swimming include: . Low impact (small risk of injury) . Works entire body, especially muscles of the back, chest and arms . Ideal for most people, particularly those who are frail, elderly or obese. (Source: Facts and Stats: Swimming. Department of Sport and Recreation WA)
The WA State Government is highly supportive of swimming pools in regional communities as demonstrated in its continuing financial support for new or redeveloped swimming pool projects and with the recent announcement of the $13.2 million Community Pool Revitalisation Program specifically targeted to regional pools. The key objectives of this fund are to help local government authorities maintain and improve their facilities and ensure they continue to be safe and vibrant places that encourage a healthy lifestyle through participation in physical activity and sport and recreation.
The Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR) website says that aquatic centre in regional towns are a central point for recreation, learning, exercise and rehabilitation and that they have a particularly important role in teaching children and adults how to swim and water safety and survival techniques. Further, it states that in remote communities there is evidence that regular visits to the community pool has contributed to reduced chronic disease and improved educational and social outcomes for residents.
One of the important roles that swimming pools in regional towns throughout WA plays is that of a major social meeting place. It is a casual venue for youth and families to meet and socialise, adding to the social fabric of the town.
11 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 5.2 Participation
Swimming is a very popular activity amongst Australians which has its origins through the vast majority of people living in cities near the ocean, and through a standard of provision that has developed over time in Australia whereby almost every community has a pool. From a competitive swimming perspective, this has led to a disproportionately high level of success in swimming on the international stage, which has further supported high participation rates.
Children’s participation in swimming has been the most popular organised sports activity since ABS began recording these statistics in 2003, with over 17% of children aged 5-14 participating in organised swimming/diving, as shown in the table below:
Children’s Top 5 Organised Sports Organised Sport % of Children Participating aged 5-14 2003 2006 2009 2012 Swimming/Diving 16.6 17.4 18.5 17.7 Dancing 12.4 12.5 14.3 15.0 Soccer (outdoor) 13.4 13.2 13.2 14.3 Australian Rules football 7.3 7.5 8.6 8.1 Netball 9.1 8.5 8.4 8.0 Basketball 7.7 6.6 7.4 7.9 Source: Children’s participation in sport and leisure time activities 2003-2012, 4901.0.55.001, ABS.
This data shows that Children’s participation in the major recreational activities is consistently around 17-18% of the population. It could be rationalised that children who do not have access to aquatic facilities that permit organised swimming (i.e. learn to swim, swim clubs, competitions etc) are at a disadvantage to those who do have access to such facilities.
Interestingly, boy/girl participation is the same at age 5-8 yrs with both having a 24.5% participation rate, but in the older age groups the girls have higher participation as shown below: . 9-11 yrs – Girls 20.9%, Boys 15.4% participation in organised swimming. . 12-14 yrs – Girls 9.5%, Boys 6.6% participation in organised swimming.
These statistics also reveal that participation is highest amongst younger children, which is an age where many children are enrolled in learn to swim classes. The higher girl participation in the 12-14 year age group is significant as it is known that teenage girls begin to lose interest in sports more so than boys, therefore it is beneficial for their physical activity participation to provide facilities that cater for their most popular activities.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that swimming ranks third in the physical activities participated in by persons age 15 years and over, as shown in the following table
65 and Total Age 15–17 18–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 over participants PARTICIPATION RATE (%) Cycling/BMXing 5.1 3.3 12.7 13.5 11.8 6.7 2.5 8.8 Fitness/Gym 11.1 24.5 23.2 15.1 16.7 13.4 12.2 17.1 Jogging/Running 4.0 10.5 15.8 12.4 4.3 7.6 Swimming/Diving 12.1 6.6 10.4 12.6 8.4 11.2 6.4 9.6 Walking for exercise 14.5 23.6 24.9 34.2 32.6 22.5 Source: Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, Australia, 2011-12 – Western Australia, 4177.0
12 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study
These statistics show that participation in swimming is around 10-12% across the age groups apart from a dip in the 18-24 year olds, 45-54 year olds and 65 years and over. Overall it can be seen that swimming is also a significant component of physical activity amongst adults, and therefore the provision of aquatic facilities for this section of the community can play an important role in keeping the community physically active.
5.3 Regional Aquatic Facilities
Many of the swimming pools in regional towns were built in the 1960’s and 70’s following Australia’s swimming success in the Olympics and Commonwealth games. Swimming pools provided a cleaner and safer alternative to swimming in waterways, swimming holes and ocean baths and helped further develop Olympic swimming champions. A community swimming pool came to be a standard of modern living that many Local Government Authorities sought to provide their communities and continue to do so to this day. (Source: http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian- story/australias-swimming-success-pools).
An issue facing many LGA’s now is that their facilities are approaching 50 years of age and are facing either heavy redevelopment or replacement. Health codes and design standards have changed over the years which pool redevelopment plans must take into account.
5.4 Facility Design
5.4.1 Recreational User Design Features The needs of recreational users has had much greater focus in the design of recent swimming pools. Architects with significant aquatic facility design experience advise that features such as leisure water areas and interactive water features for children have become sought after in new / redeveloped facility designs. Emphasis is being placed on providing a range of activities for users in order to cater for the diverse needs/wants of the community and increase patronage and subsequent increased utilisation and financial returns.
Spray Parks Zero depth water playgrounds or ‘spray parks’ are becoming a popular addition to aquatic facilities throughout Australia and are spreading rapidly across WA.
13 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study The primary advantages of a spray park are that they are fun yet safe for children. There are many imaginative water features to choose from so each spray park can be uniquely designed. Children can play and cool down from the summer heat yet there is no risk of drowning due to the lack of pooling water. This has advantages for operators in minimising lifeguard supervision requirements.
Other facilities included in aquatic centre designs targeting recreation users include the following: . Water slides . Wave generators . Rapid rivers . Spa pools . Bombie pools . “Dry” facilities including basketball rings, beach volley ball/tennis, playground equipment, barbeque areas, indoor cricket nets (outdoors) etc.
Features such as water slides, wave generators, rapid rivers, bombie pools and spa pools are more common in the metropolitan area or large regional aquatic facilities such as the Kalgoorlie Boulder Oasis Aquatic Centre.
Dry recreation facilities such as those mentioned above are a cost effective solution for smaller regional LGA’s to provide additional recreational opportunities for patrons in a family friendly supervised area.
Single Body of Water Changes to health and safety regulations have resulted in a trend towards the provision of a single body of water for swimming pools in regional locations. Separate bodies of water must now have separate filtration systems and potentially under new Health Department guidelines, a dedicated lifeguard, thus the infrastructure and staffing requirements are increased for pools that are developed with separate lap pools, toddler pools and leisure pools.
New or redeveloped pools in regional locations are therefore tending towards providing lap, leisure and toddler swimming areas with one body of water to make most efficient use of infrastructure and staffing requirements.
An example of the single body of water design is the Narembeen Aquatic Centre shown below, recently redeveloped by the Shire of Narembeen.
14 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 5.5 Pool Heating
Traditional regional outdoor pools are often unheated, however, more and more LGA’s are installing solar pool heating systems to provide additional user comfort, particularly in the shoulder seasons. Warmer pool temperatures are particularly important for young children/toddlers and older people.
The use of pool blankets also has a significant impact on pool temperature by retaining heat during the night. They also have the added benefit of reducing the amount of dirt/leaves entering the pool and reduce the rate of pool chemical and water loss and through evaporation.
There are various types of solar pool heating, from standard black matting systems that heat pool water directly, up to solar thermal systems that use evacuated tubes to heat the pool water via heat exchangers and also provide hot water for the changerooms.
Indoor centres also require mechanical air handling systems for heating (and air quality control) – typically via gas or electric heat pumps to ensure sufficient heat is provided year round. Some large metropolitan aquatic centres have installed deep bore geothermal systems to which can provide the full pool heating requirements but have a high capital cost.
The Bruce Rock Swimming Pool as an example, had rubber matting solar heating installed in 2002/03. The Shire reports the system has noticeably increased the temperature of the outdoor pool by 4-5 degrees which has made swimming more comfortable at the beginning and ends of the season.
5.6 Water Saving Measures
Reducing water consumption has become a major priority for many LGA’s that are experiencing significantly reduced annual rainfall due to global climate change. Water costs are rising and increased restrictions on water usage are being implemented by State Government’s.
There are many water saving measures that pool operators are implementing including pool blankets, timers on showers and taps, wet decks and improved filtration systems. Ultra fine Diatomaceous Earth (DE) filtration systems cost 50% more to purchase than a typical sand filtration system, however, the amount of water lost during backwash is reduced by 85% and the pool water is much cleaner.
The recent City of Casey (Victoria metropolitan fringe) Casey RACE (Recreation and Aquatic Centre) has been designed to save over 26 million litres of drinking water each year with a rain water and recycled pool water harvesting system including a total of 2.8 million litres of water storage. The total pool water volume is approximately 2 million litres. Water is collected from the roof of the aquatic centre and nearby industrial sized sheds that are now owned by the City. This system has eliminated the need for scheme water for pool operations.
The City of Casey reports that the water recycling plant and water storage has cost $2.5 million, thus it is not purely cost effective (at today’s cost of water), however, the City felt that this was a necessary design feature of the pool to ensure future water supply in a time of increasing water restrictions. Casey RACE only uses mains water for drinking fountains and for use in the Kiosk.
15 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 5.7 Staffing
ABV research with industry representatives and practitioners has anecdotally shown that rural and remote LGA’s continue to find it difficult to attract skilled pool managers to manage their community swimming pools.
Royal Life Saving Society WA (RLSS WA) reports that pool managers are no longer coming from the City to begin their career pathway in the country as was common place in past years. The recent mining boom has exacerbated this problem.
RLSS WA advises that whilst regional LGA’s are receiving applications for advertised pool manager positions, there is a distinct lack of persons with suitable skills and experience applying for the jobs. Pool managers are now required to not only maintain high standards of water quality but to find ways of maximising community usage, dealing with State and Local government policies, implementing new health and safety initiatives and running the pool in a cost efficient and environmentally sustainable manner.
Currently there are no strong pathways for skills development for modern pool managers and this is something that RLSS WA is working to address.
They advise that regional LGA’s need to generate their own skilled pool managers from the local community as a means of acquiring the necessary staff. Local persons are generally much more satisfied with their surroundings as opposed to persons who may have migrated from the elsewhere. This is very important as staff retention is a key issue particularly in remote locations.
5.8 Indoor Aquatic Centres in Regional Areas
Indoor aquatic centres incur a substantially higher cost to a regional local government to operate in comparison to a seasonal outdoor facility due to additional costs in staffing, building maintenance, year round operations and energy costs. A recent study conducted for Cooma-Monaro Shire Council suggests that aquatic centres that operate on a year-round basis need a catchment of 50,000 people or more to be viable.
Whilst it is noted that ‘viability’ is dependent on the scale of the facility and the level of expense an LGA is prepared to incur for the provision of a particular community service, the point is made that a year round indoor aquatic centre is a regional level facility and not one that is often practical or viable for smaller regional LGA’s to provide. The cost to operate an indoor centre can be approximately 1-2 times the cost of operating an equivalent sized outdoor seasonal facility, and there are substantially higher building depreciation costs to consider.
The costs to operate indoor aquatic centres are explored further in the Comparative Review section of this report.
16 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 5.9 Shark Barriers
An emerging trend in natural setting aquatics is the development of shark barriers to provide safety and peace of mind to beach users. After a spate of shark fatalities in WA in recent years it has become a concern of much greater prominence in the publics’ consciousness. The State Government implemented a process of using drum lines to catch large sharks to reduce the threat to swimmers however this caused a significant public backlash from people concerned with marine conservation. The use of drum lines has been discontinued as of 2014 after an adverse finding by the Environmental Protection Authority.
Eco-friendly shark barrier systems have been developed and one has recently been trialled at Coogee Beach in the City of Cockburn. The City has reported that it was a highly successful installation in that it did not harm any marine life or people, and was a significant attractor to many patrons from a wide area due to the protection from sharks aspect, including persons who had previously stopped swimming in the ocean from the perceived threat. The City now wishes to trial it through a winter period subject to further funding being approved. There were no issues with seaweed build up during the summer period, however seaweed is predominantly a winter issue, thus it has not yet been able to prove itself.
It was also noted by the City that the enclosure area acted as a safe haven for many small fish such as whiting, although no fishing can occur in or around the shark barrier due to the entanglement and safety issues that would arise.
The Eco-Shark Barrier It is a form of rigid plastic netting system that does not entangle any sea creatures including sharks, dolphins and the like, and smaller fish are Eco-Shark Barrier, Coogee Beach able to swim freely through.
The Eco Shark Barrier Pty Ltd shark barrier system is reported to last at least 10 years given its material and construction methods although it should be noted it has only been recently invented and had its first trial over the 2013/14 season at Coogee Beach.
The approximate cost is $1,000 per lineal metre fully installed. It requires two divers to clean it every 6-8 weeks, which depending on size and availability of divers may cost in the order of $10,000- $15,000 per annum. It does not need to be taken out once it is installed
It would appear from the City of Cockburn’s trial results that the provision of a shark barrier swimming area could encourage more people to use the beach and potentially boost tourism due to the improved feeling of safety. It must be stressed that it is not known if the eco shark barrier offers 100% protection from sharks entering the area, nor has it been tested during a winter season when large amounts of seaweed are washed into shore, therefore it would be prudent for the Shire to await further results of testing prior to making any decisions on such infrastructure.
17 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 5.10 Multi-Use Hydrotherapy Pools
ABV’s research and experience with local government authorities across Western Australia suggests that the development of hydrotherapy pools (small heated indoor pool for individuals and small groups) in medium and even small regional Shire’s is an emerging trend that has potential to become a common feature of LGA community facility provision. Many regional LGA’s provide a range of sport and recreation facilities for young and able bodied people, but there is a significant gap for seniors, the frail and elderly and people with disabilities. A warm body of water enables these people to move and be active which is otherwise difficult, and in some cases not possible for them to do. A hydrotherapy pool is a very effective physiotherapy tool for persons with injuries and is also very popular amongst parents with babies, toddlers and young children for learn to swim classes and as a facility for aquarobics – hence it can be considered a multi-use community facility.
The Shire of Merredin and the Shire of Corrigin have both constructed hydrotherapy pools in recent years which have proven to be very popular in the community, particularly amongst seniors. Given the small size of the pool and the pool hall the operational costs are relatively low and it can be monitored by the recreation/aquatic centre manager by having it located in a position that allows direct visual supervision.
Joints and muscles need movement to heal and to remain healthy. Physiotherapists report that the buoyancy, warmth and even resistance to movement provided by warm water makes walking and movement of injured limbs and for the frail and elderly much easier, and therefore significantly reduces recovery time and helps people to exercise who may otherwise have limited capacity to do so. Arthritis sufferers, people with back and neck pain/injuries, pregnant women and the growing number of people with hip and knee replacements all receive significant benefit from hydrotherapy as well.
ABV discussions with physiotherapists reveal that hydrotherapy is a very important form of treatment they use to rehabilitate people with a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries and is very useful in enabling the frail elderly and persons with severe disabilities to move their body and limbs. In some cases floating is all that the client is able to do but it gets them out of their chair and gives them a sense of freedom.
Ibis World (Australian market research company) reports that the physiotherapy services industry has benefited from rising demand over the past five years due to Australia's ageing population as individuals tend to use physiotherapy services more frequently as they grow older. Research shows that knee and hip replacements are increasing rapidly, with the Australian Orthopaedic Association recording 44,500 knee replacements and 36,000 hip replacements in 2010, a rise of almost eight per cent on the previous year. More and more people are opting to have these surgical procedures and are having them earlier in life.
As a favoured tool of physiotherapists, it can be rationalised that demand for hydrotherapy facilities will increase in a similar fashion including in regional locations where the ageing population is accentuated.
18 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 6 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
The community consultation process undertaken for this study has been extensive including the consultant speaking with general community members face to face in informal ‘drop in’ sessions (34 members of the community spoken with), receipt of written submissions (1 received), and the opportunity to complete a survey of which 222 in total were received.
The consultation key findings are revealed below, followed by specific results from each of the consultation methods.
Note: The survey utilised for consultation intentionally included both a hydrotherapy pool and a warm water program pool as separate options to consider. Both of these facilities can be considered as small indoor heated pool options. A hydrotherapy pool means different things to different people, for some it is very specific, catering for physical therapy users only whereas for others it is a pool that can be used for a wide range of purposes. By including both pools in the survey, the intention was for results to encapsulate the views of people who desire a modest size indoor pool for hydrotherapy reasons and people who wish to use it for aquatic programs such as aquarobics and learn to swim. In reality, a single small heated pool (32-34 degrees) can cater for both physical therapy and warm water programming requirements and therefore is referred to as a multi-use hydrotherapy pool throughout the report.
6.1 Consultation Key Findings
Taking all of the consultation findings into consideration, surveys, face to face consultation and public submission, the strongest response received has been for an indoor hydrotherapy pool (followed relatively closely by a warm water program pool). The reasons provided for this need from the consultation include: . The able bodied are already very well provided for with sport recreation facilities in the Shire. The elderly and less able bodied persons have limited options. . Significantly improves mobility in the elderly and frail. . Highly valued physical rehabilitation facility by physiotherapists and clients. . Those who most need it do not have the capacity and/or cannot afford to travel to Geraldton regularly. A long drive can also undo the benefits received from the hydrotherapy pool.
The next highest response has been in support of an indoor lap pool. The reasons provided for this need from the consultation include: . There are many people who do not like to swim in the ocean for various reasons (i.e. sharks, elements, unsteady on feet) . It is difficult to teach children to swim at the beach, although it is noted the Dongara District High School prides itself on its beach swimming lessons and surf skills programs. . Many individuals/families who would like to be involved in competitive swimming are unable to do so. Travel to and from Geraldton on a regular basis is unfeasible for many persons and families due to time and cost. . An outdoor pool would still be subject to the elements, particularly the strong winds, which would limit its benefit. . An indoor lap pool allows year round swimming.
19 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study An ocean pool, outdoor lap pool, outdoor leisure pool, and indoor leisure pool received the least support when asked to rate their level of importance within the survey (i.e. rated highly in the ‘Desirable but only if financial impact is minimal’ column). Whilst there was some limited support for the ocean pool, it was the only one of the options to generate some vocal opposition to the concept, mainly for the following reasons: . A number of people have significant doubts as to the feasibility and practicality of an ocean pool for a variety of reasons. . An ocean pool would not fulfil the needs of the frail and elderly and would be subject to the elements, just the same as the beach. . Residents state they already have an outdoor swimming venue (the beach) so why spend more on another one.
There is broad consensus in the community that the Recreation Centre is the preferred location for any new aquatic facilities.
6.2 Survey Results
The summary of results of the Individuals Survey and the Family/Household Survey for this study can be seen attached as Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 to this report. Key statistics of the individual and household surveys combined that demonstrate the community’s preferences for aquatic facilities are as follows:
Q. How satisfied with the aquatic facility options currently available to you/members of your household?
Satisfaction with Current Aquatic Facilities
Very Satisfied 4% Satisfied 14% Very Neither Satisfied Dissatisfied nor Dissatisfied 44% 10%
Dissatisfied 28%
This graph shows that 72% of respondents are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the current level of aquatic facility provision, with only 17% reporting being satisfied or very satisfied.
Common comments received on this question relate to the Geraldton Aquarena being too far away to use regularly and the beach being great but not always suitable for young children or seniors, examples include:
“The beach is great but difficult with toddlers and babies to teach how to swim”
20 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study “It is a very frustrating situation that you need to plan a trip to Geraldton every time you wish to swim laps or for the kids to do swimming lessons”
Q. Aquatic facilities can be costly to build and operate on an ongoing basis. In taking into consideration the Shire’s seaside location, proximity to Geraldton, and the sport and recreation facilities and services that the Shire is currently able to provide, please select a statement that best reflects your view on the importance of each of the different types of aquatic facilities.
140 Most Important Facility 120
100
80
60
40 Very Important/Important Desirable 20 Unnecessary 0
As can be seen from this chart, the community has rated the indoor heated pools as the most important, and the outdoor pools as the least important. 60% of respondents have rated a hydrotherapy pool as very important/important, whilst less than 30% of respondents rate an ocean pool or outdoor leisure pool as very important/important, possibly due to the availability of the beaches that the Shire of Irwin community already enjoys.
This question also reveals that the community places a significantly higher level of importance on functional water spaces that can be used for lap swimming, lessons, exercise and rehabilitation all year round as opposed to leisure water spaces and pools that are limited to the summer season.
Some comments received on this question include:
“Can satisfactorily use the beach for leisure, would be fantastic to have access to a pool year round for fitness and swimming training purposes”
“Getting older it is better doing aquatic exercises. You get the exercise with less strain.”
“We need an indoor hydro and lap pool for our children to learn how to swim, our elderly need daily non weight bearing exercises in a hydro, also many, many people in this town need hydrotherapy after major surgery. Recreation swimming for families are also safer than the ocean”
“To enable people with disabilities to take part in therapy”
21 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study Rate Payers
84% of respondents reported being a rate payer.
Q. What is the maximum amount you would be prepared to pay in additional annual rates to fund the construction and ongoing operation of new aquatic facilities that you would like to see in the Shire of Irwin?
Maximum Rate Increase Prepared to Pay for Desired Facility
0 $200 11% $175 19% $25 1% 9% $150 8% $50 $125 13% 2%
$100 $75 32% 5%
This chart reveals that people are generally prepared to incur a rate increase to help pay for the construction and ongoing costs of their desired new facility. 62% of respondents are willing to pay $100 p.a. or more for their desired facility and 11% of respondents are not willing to pay any more rates for their desired facility. Although this does not show what exact facility each person is prepared to pay for with additional rates (i.e. some may be willing to pay additional rates for a hydrotherapy pool but not an ocean pool), it does indicate that there is an understanding that rates may need to rise in order for the Shire to provide new aquatic facilities.
22 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study Q. If a bus service was made available for trips to the Geraldton Aquarena, how often might you make use of it?
Responses Regularly 7%
Occassionally 21%
Never 72%
This chart shows that a potential bus service to from Dongara/Pt Denison to the Geraldton Aquarena is not supported by a strong majority of the respondents (72%).
Some of the comments received include:
“Maybe suitable for swim training for kids however time is often a limiting factor and travel time would limit frequency of use”
“Any benefit gained from the exercise session would be lost because of distance travelled afterwards”
“1hr swim time will turn into 3hr all round”
“The bus would need wheelchair access for me to be able to participate”
23 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study Q. How often would you make use of the following facilities if they were provided in the Shire of Irwin? (This question was asked in the Individual Survey only)
Potential Frequency of Use
160 140 Never 120 1-5 times per year 100 6-10 times per year 80 11-25 times per year 60 26-50 times per year 40 51-100 times per year 20 101+ times per year
0
(indoor)
Warm water water Warm
(indoor)
(seasonal) poolprogram
Indoor lappool Indoor
(seasonal)
swimming andswimming
Outdoor lappool Outdoor
recreational use)
Hydrotherapypool
Indoor leisure leisure Indoorpool
Ocean pool Ocean(for lap Outdoor leisure leisure Outdoorpool
This chart shows that the warm water program pool, indoor lap pool and indoor leisure pool would be the most frequently used facilities by respondents if they were to be provided. Approximately 70% or respondents have reported they would use these indoor facilities 11 times or more per year if they were provided, again highlighting the community preference for an indoor heated pool.
Given the high level of importance placed on a hydrotherapy pool by respondents and with the warm water program pool ranked second in importance, it would presume that a multi-use indoor heated pool designed/programmed/made available for hydrotherapy activities as well as various aquatic programs such as baby/toddler swimming and aquatic fitness classes would be a highly valued and utilised facility.
The indoor lap pool also ranked highly in importance and potential frequency of use by respondents.
Some comments received for this question include:
“Ocean pool, why have one when you already have the beach? Spend the extra money for something that can be used all year round.”
“Arthritis stops me swimming outdoors but I swam 5 times per week until I came to the Shire of Irwin”
“I’m sure the indoor pool would be more desirable with more options available all year round”
24 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 6.3 Feedback from Community Drop In Sessions
Members of the general public were given the opportunity to meet and speak directly with the consultant to express their views on what they believe the aquatic facility needs for the Shire of Irwin are. The consultant was available to speak to the general public at the Irwin Recreation Centre on Thursday May 1 between the hours of 11:00am – 1:00pm and 4:30pm – 6:30pm. 34 people came and spoke with the consultant.
Key findings from the feedback provided by these community members (total of 34) are as follows: . 80% reported that the Shire needs a multi-use hydrotherapy pool. . 41% reported a need for a traditional lap pool, with half specifically stating that an indoor lap pool is required, whilst the other half were happy with either an outdoor or indoor lap pool. . 6% (2 persons) reported that there is no need for new aquatic facilities in the Shire. The reasons given for this were that it is unaffordable for the Shire and that people can use the ocean or Geraldton facilities. . 41% stated opposition to the development of an ocean pool, whilst 6% support it. Reasons provided by the community members for opposition to an ocean pool include the perception it will not provide much benefit beyond what the natural beach can provide, that they will still have a considerable cost to maintain, that the water can be colder than the ocean and it will still be exposed to the full wind, and that the Shire would be better putting its limited financial resources to a traditional pool or hydrotherapy pool.
These findings from direct consultation with the general community reinforce the community survey findings which show that a multi-use hydrotherapy pool is the number 1 priority reported by the community, followed by a traditional lap pool with the preference weighted towards a year round indoor facility.
6.4 Public Submissions
Three public submissions were received for this study, one of which included 41 signatures in support of the development of a hydrotherapy pool. The original public submissions can be seen attached as Appendix 3 to this report, a summary is provided below:
6.4.1 Karen Kennedy, Home and Community Care (HACC) . HACC provides a monthly service taking 16 clients, ages ranging from 19 to 90 years, to the Geraldton Aquarena hydrotherapy pool, and cannot be provided more often due to the expense. More clients would attend if it could be the service could be provided more regularly as some do not see any benefits in a monthly visit. Others find the travelling distance very difficult. . If a hydrotherapy pool was provided in Dongara the HACC would provide the service more often, potentially weekly, and more clients would attend either with HACC or on their own. HACC currently has over 100 clients. . The Dongara Eneabba Mingenew Health Service (DEMHS) also has a physiotherapist visit twice weekly from Geraldton who on average refers 10 new clients a month for swimming or hydrotherapy. This figure does not include elderly clients of whom she treats around 50 per month, many of whom find it too difficult to get to Geraldton on a regular basis to obtain the benefits of hydrotherapy.
25 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study . Three of the Blake House residents (located at Dongara Medical Centre currently with 6 residents) would access a hydrotherapy pool in town as it would provide them with the opportunity to get out and about and improve their physical and mental well being. . HACC and DEMHS staff have expressed strong support for a hydrotherapy pool in Dongara and hope that a positive decision can be made soon.
6.4.2 Gwen Jones, Shire of Irwin Resident . Gwen Jones states an indoor hydrotherapy pool is needed as soon as possible for the Shire of Irwin for the many elderly people in the community. . 41 signatures were collected in support of the following statement “A Hydro Inside Pool Needed In Dongara”
6.4.3 Sandra Coles Sandra Coles believes a modest aquatic facility is required to cater for the following: . Young children . People who have therapy . The aged . To conduct water aerobics classes
She goes on to say that a larger pool could be developed in future stages as the need arises.
26 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 7 COMPARATIVE REVIEW
A review of other regional local government authorities has been undertaken to examine aspects of aquatic facility provision to develop an understanding of what facilities and features are being provided for other communities of a similar size and nature to the Shire of Irwin. It also highlights what issues there may be for the various types of aquatic facilities being examined in this study including a traditional pool (indoor/outdoor), a multi-use hydrotherapy pool and an ocean pool.
7.1 Provision of Pools in Coastal Local Government Authorities
An examination of the coastal LGA’s (with population centres along the coastline) reveals that most provide an aquatic facility, despite the presence of quality beaches. Some of the larger regional LGA’s provide indoor aquatic facilities including the Shire of Esperance, City of Albany, Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, City of Busselton, City of Bunbury, City of Greater Geraldton and the Shire of Harvey. The Town of Port Hedland, City of Karratha, Shire of Carnarvon, Shire of Exmouth, Shire of Broome, Shire of Derby-West Kimberly, Shire of Ravensthorpe and the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley provide traditional outdoor pools.
LGA’s with coastal populations that do not have pools other than the Shire of Irwin include the Shire of Denmark, Shire of Dandaragan, Shire of Northampton, and Shire of Shark Bay. A basic summary of these towns is provided in the table below
Regional LGA’s that do not have Public Swimming Pools LGA Key Characteristics Shire of Irwin . Single population centre (Dongara/Pt Denison) Population 3,780 . 65km from Geraldton, many people work/go to school there. Shire of Denmark . Single population centre Population 5,748 . 55km from Albany, many people work/go to school there Shire of Dandaragan . Four town sites – Jurien Bay, Cervantes, Badgingarra and Dandaragan, each Population 3,325 with a relatively small population. . Jurien Bay and Cervantes are seaside towns. . Much of the Shire is within 1-2hrs driving time of Joondalup/Wanneroo (north Perth metro area). Shire of Northampton . Two main town-sites – Kalbarri and Northampton, and the small town of Population 3,379 Horrocks. . Northampton 50km to Geraldton, Kalbarri 155km to Geraldton. Shire of Shark Bay . Single population centre (Denham) Population 928 . 330km to Carnarvon, 410km to Geraldton.
Interestingly apart from the Shire of Denmark, the other coastal Shires that do not provide a pool are all Shires located from the Shire of Irwin to the Shire of Shark Bay, except the City of Greater Geraldton. It would appear that a combination of warm climate, extensive beaches that are relatively safe to swim in and mostly small town-sites has resulted in pools not being prioritised highly enough by the respective Shires/communities. Both the Shire of Northampton and Shire of Irwin have some/all of their population within a sub 1 hour driving time to the City of Greater Geraldton and therefore have a reliance on the regional level aquatic facility located there for swimming carnivals and other special events.
27 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study The Shire of Denmark does not share the same favourable climatic conditions for a lengthy swimming season at the beach, and therefore a vocal component of the community has been agitating for an indoor pool. The cost of an indoor aquatic centre is very high both to construct and to operate; hence the Shire is continuing to explore options.
7.2 Indoor Lap Pools
A small number of regional LGA’s with populations under 10,000 operate indoor lap pools. These include the Shire of Waroona, Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup, Town of Narrogin and the Shire of Manjimup. A basic summary of these towns is provided below:
LGA Key Characteristics Shire of Waroona . Single population centre (Waroona) Population 3,843 . Located in a fast growing region of WA – between Bunbury (75km) and Mandurah (45km). . 6 lane 25m lap pool with a small toddler area attached. Part of the Waroona Recreation and Aquatic Centre. . Shire reports total operational deficit for Rec & Aquatic Centre $530,000* 2013/14 inclusive of $100,000 operational grant from Alcoa and is equivalent to 15% of annual rates (*likely to include depreciation, unable to obtain details). Shire of Donnybrook – . Two town sites, Donnybrook & Balingup. Recreation Centre with pool located Balingup in Donnybrook. Population 5,753 . 40km from Bunbury, many people work/go to school there. . 6 lane 25m lap pool with a very small toddler area. Part of the Donnybrook Recreation Centre. . No air heating, bit cool for temperature sensitive people during winter, patronage falls. . Rec Centre total operational deficit $312,000 2013/14 excluding depreciation. Town of Narrogin . Single town-site, regional centre for smaller surrounding Shires. 190km south Population 4,430 east of Perth. . Aquatic Centre is part of the Narrogin Leisure Complex, includes outdoor 50m 6 lane pool, indoor heated 25m 8 lane lap pool and a large leisure pool with water play features. . Whole of Leisure Complex approximate operating deficit of $650,000 excluding depreciation. Shire of Manjimup . One main town site and 3 small satellite towns (Pemberton, Northcliffe, Population 9,427 Walpole). 130km south of Bunbury. . Manjimup Regional AquaCentre – indoor heated 25m 8 lane pool, leisure pool with 2 walking lanes. Also includes a fitness room and crèche. . 2013/14 AquaCentre operating deficit approximately $700,000 excluding depreciation.
28 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study This comparison of regional LGA’s show that it can be very expensive to operate an indoor lap pool/aquatic centre. Most facilities are part of a recreation centre and the exact costs associated for aquatic operations are difficult to differentiate, however, it would appear that the Shire of Donnybrook operates its pool at the lowest deficit. In defining the aquatic component of expenses it could be assumed the pool requires approximately 60% of the staffing budget and general administration costs which suggests the aquatic component would have an approximate operating deficit of $222,000 excluding depreciation.
The Shire of Manjimup has the highest operating deficit for an indoor aquatic facility being approximately $700,000 excluding depreciation, which appears to be due to significantly higher staffing costs than the other facilities.
The Town of Narrogin Leisure Complex also has an operating deficit of around $650,000 however this includes income/expenditure for the whole complex. A large proportion of the operating deficit is likely to come from the aquatics side given that it has both an indoor 25m lap pool, indoor leisure pool and outdoor 50m lap pool.
For the Waroona Recreation and Aquatic Centre, assuming depreciation is $200,000 (ABV estimate, detailed budget information not available) excluding the $100,000 Alcoa grant, a very broad estimate for the operating deficit is $400,000 p.a. Of this, assuming 70% of the deficit is attributable to the aquatics side of the facility (same as Donnybrook); the aquatics operational deficit of the facility could be in the order of $280,000.
These figures show that the Donnybrook and Waroona indoor aquatic facilities are the least costly to operate. They are both modest 6 lane 25m lap pool with small/very small toddler areas attached, whereas the Narrogin and Manjimup facilities are larger including 8 lane 25m pools and separate leisure pools, with Narrogin also having an outdoor pool.
The significant additional operating deficits from regional indoor pools come primarily from significantly increased staffing costs due to year round operations, very large increase in utilities expenditure due to the need to heat the water and heat/exchange the air of a large pool hall. There are also added chemical and water costs. As a rule of thumb, operating expenditure can be expected to at least double when moving from a seasonal outdoor operation to a year round indoor operation.
An indoor pool also has vastly higher life cycle cost implications than an outdoor pool. The initial construction cost (and therefore the replacement/depreciation cost) of the pool enclosure can be more than the cost of the pool itself. A 25m lap pool with a leisure area (not including changeroom/administration buildings) may cost approximately $3.5 million to construct, but the cost of an enclosure over the pool would be in the order of $5 million, resulting in a total cost of approximately $8.5 million. Assuming a lifespan of 40 years, the enclosure results in an additional annual replacement cost of $125,000 (2.5% of building value) p.a.
Major maintenance and renewal costs (DSR advise 1.5% of direct capital cost for an indicative figure – excluding professional fees, contingencies, preliminaries etc) can also be expected to increase by a similar rate; in this example rising from approximately $35,000 p.a. for only the outdoor pool to $85,000 p.a. for an indoor pool (increase of $50,000 p.a.).
Overall, the indicative life cycle costs of an indoor pool in this example is $175,000 p.a. greater than a similar sized seasonal outdoor facility.
29 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 7.3 Multi-Use Hydrotherapy Pools
In this instance, a multi-use hydrotherapy pool is regarded as a small multi-use indoor pool (say 10m x 6m pool) to cater for physiotherapy, general exercise and fitness classes and learn to swim for babies and toddlers. They tend to be heated to 32- 34 degrees Celsius in a small room with air handling capabilities. Usage is predominantly by bookings and for scheduled classes.
There are relatively few instances of regional LGA’s outside of the major regional centres having specific multi-use hydrotherapy pools. The Shire of Corrigin, Fiona Stanley Hospital Hydrotherapy Pool the Shire of Merredin and the Shire of Murray have recently constructed hydrotherapy pools. There are a number of other regional LGA’s with indoor lap and leisure pools heated to around 28-30 degrees. These pools are also used for therapy, exercise and classes in much the same way a hydrotherapy pool would be used, although the pool/air temperature is maintained at a lower level to find an appropriate balance for lap swimmers and leisure/program/therapy users.
The operational expenditure on a hydrotherapy pool is significantly lower than for an indoor lap pool due to its significantly smaller size. A 10m x 6m hydrotherapy pool is only 16% of the size of a 6 lane 25m lap pool, and is enclosed in a much smaller pool hall. Staffing costs can also be modest if they are operated as a Group 3 facility* which does not require direct supervision, although in the case of both the Shire of Corrigin and Shire of Merredin they are placed off to the side of the manager’s office with a window for direct viewing so that some supervision can still be provided. Hydrotherapy pools operated in this way therefore do not necessarily incur additional staffing costs beyond what may have already been in place at the existing leisure centre. (*as per the Code Of Practice for the Design, Construction, Operation, Management & Maintenance of Aquatic Facilities, Department of Health, May 2007)
The Shire of Merredin charges $7 per entry for adults and $5 for seniors, the Shire of Corrigin charges a flat $5 fee per person.
The Shire of Merredin reports that the hydrotherapy pool operational expenditure is approximately $35,000 p.a. (not including staffing), income is approximately $10,000 - $15,000 p.a. and is generally fully booked two weeks in advance. The Merredin hydrotherapy pool is quite small, (approximately 8m x 4m – 24m2) and is restricted to individual users with referrals from doctors or physiotherapists. It also runs some learn to swim classes for young children (maximum 8 per class).
The Shire of Corrigin reports that their hydrotherapy pool costs approximately $42,000 p.a. to operate, including $38,000 for electricity, $2,000 for water and $2,000 for chemicals. The Corrigin pool is run as a Group 1 facility and is open during the outdoor pool season by appointment only and for 3 hours per day, 3 days per week during the off season. Currently the Corrigin hydrotherapy pool earns approximately $11,000 per annum (2,200 entries), however, the pool manager says that income is greatly restricted as it is simply available for bookings to the public, but there are no staff employed to run any programs, and he does not have the time to do so. The Corrigin pool manager feels that if he had a dedicated staff member to run programs it could run at a profit.
30 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study Staff from the Shire of Corrigin, Shire of Merredin, Shire of Murray and City of Geraldton all report that their hydrotherapy pools are used extensively by their communities, with uses including injury rehabilitation, football player recovery, general exercise (particularly for the elderly), physiotherapist bookings, fitness classes, learn to swim classes and general relaxation.
7.4 Outdoor pools
Typical aquatic facility provision for regional LGA’s of <10,000 population is an outdoor 50m or 25m lap pool and a toddler/leisure pool either attached or separate to the lap pool and can be found in the main town site of most regional LGA’s throughout WA.
ABV collected budget details of 12 regional LGA’s with populations ranging from 924 (Shire of Perenjori) to 5,248 (Shire of Gingin) with the average being 3,106. The basic details are provided in the table below:
Wages/ LGA Outdoor Pool Type Expenses Income Deficit Population Salaries 6 lane 25m lap pool with toddler & Gingin leisure/LTS area attached 128,000 65,000 63,000 68,000 5,248 6 lane 50m lap pool and separate Wagin leisure/LTS pool. Solar heated. 149,000 57,500 91,500 58,000 1,975 6 lane 25m lap pool and separate Dalwallinu toddler pool. Solar heated. 153,000 57,000 96,000 83,750 1,295 6 lane 25m lap pool, separate Perenjori leisure/LTS pool. 144,500 36,100 108,400 63,800 924 6 lane 50m lap pool and separate Moora toddler pool. 185,500 62,000 123,500 101,400 2,535 6 lane 25m pool with attached diving Boyup Brook pool, separate toddlers’ pool. 204,000 71,000 133,000 122,500 1,738 6 lane 50m lap pool and separate toddlers’ pool. Solar heated. (Pool has now been demolished, to be replaced with 8 lane 25m pool and separate leisure/LTS pool for 2014-15 Bridgetown season). 230,000 88,000 142,000 122,000 4,513 6 lane 50m lap pool, separate toddlers’ Merredin pool, water slide. 220,000 71,500 148,500 88,000 3,300 6 lane 50m pool with separate York toddlers’ pool. 223,000 57,500 165,500 110,000 3,581 6 lane 50m lap pool and separate Katanning leisure/LTS swim pool. Solar heated. 297,000 120,000 177,000 89,000 4,407 6 lane 50m lap pool and separate Plantagenet toddlers’ pool. Solar heated. 328,500 103,500 225,000 201,000 5,182 6 lane 50m pool and separate toddler’s Exmouth pool. 301,000 84,000 217,000 144,000 2,570 Average 4 x 25m lap pools, 8 x 50m lap pools. 213,625 72,758 140,867 104,288 3,106 Note: . Expenses exclude building and pool structure depreciation. . For the benefit of this comparison, income also includes the recently announced Community Pool Revitalisation Program ($30,000) that has replaced the previous $3,000 annual pool grant. . There are differences in the items that are included in swimming pool expenditure amongst the different LGA’s and the way they are calculated (i.e. Administration Allocation).
31 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study This table shows that the average operational deficit for a regional outdoor pool is $141,000. It is interesting to note that the four Shires with the lowest wage costs also had the four lowest operating deficits, and the Shires with the two highest wage costs had the two highest operating deficits, and the six in the middle did not follow a particular pattern. The average wage cost is 49% of the average total expenses.
Average income for the pools is $73,000, 21% of average total expenses, with 9 of the 12 shires having income between $57,000 and $90,000.
Of the 6 facilities with the lowest operating expenses, 4 have 25m lap pools and two have 50m lap pools. The facility with the lowest operational costs and operating deficit is the Gingin Pool. It has similar wage costs to the Perenjori and Wagin pools; however, it only has one body of water to maintain whereas the others have two separate bodies of water to maintain.
Recently completed construction cost estimates for this study and the Bridgetown Pool Feasibility Study (2013) indicate the cost to build a new outdoor aquatic facility including a 6-8 lane lap pool and leisure pool (attached or separate) and a changeroom/admin building is in the region of $4.5 - $5 million.
7.5 Ocean Pools
There are a variety of different types of ocean pools in existence in Australia. These include: . Rock pools – where some concrete may have been added to natural rock formations to create a pool that is flushed by tides and wave action. . Tidal lap pools – lap pools built into the ocean that may be 25 or 50m long so that they can be used for training. These too are flushed by the tides and wave action. . Ocean water fed pools – these are lap and leisure pools similar to traditional outdoor aquatic facilities, however, rather than a water disinfection and filtration system they have ocean water pumped directly in and directly out of the pool, otherwise known as a ‘pump and dump’ system. These pools are built up on the foreshore and are not affected by tidal or wave action.
Few rock pools or tidal lap pools have been developed in recent years along the east coast of Australia. There are none in existence in WA. Investigation undertaken for this report was unable to find any recent examples of construction of any type of new ocean pool. Many of the pools were built prior to the widespread roll out of chlorinated pools, and therefore many are over 50 years old.
Some ocean pools have had to undergo significant repairs or redevelopment in the past 10-20 years including at the City of Wollongong, which has three ocean water fed public swimming pools and 9 rock/tidal pools. The City of Wollongong provided the following information in relation to the upkeep of ocean pools: . There is a considerable cost to maintain the ocean pools. The City has a dedicated rock pool cleaning gang consisting of 4 full time employees with a truck that constantly clean rock pools in rotation each day (1 per day on average). This involves removing seaweed and rubbish and scrubbing algae build up away. In 2012/13 this cost approximately $800,000 – approximately $90,000 per pool. . The water in the rock/tidal pools can quickly become putrid with the presence of seaweed which rots and can become infested with maggots. The pools occasionally need to be closed if the cleaning gang cannot get to them in time.
32 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study . The Port Kembla Pool is an ocean water fed pool that is built on the Port Kembla foreshore. It was originally constructed in the early 1900’s, and was completely rebuilt in 2000. The City finds that the cost of operating an ocean water fed pool is about the same as the cost of operating a freshwater chlorinated pool (of which it has five). The City operates them as Group 1 aquatic facilities as they do with their traditional chlorinated public swimming pools (i.e. staffed during opened hours) in order to mitigate risk. . There is an observable temperature difference between the ocean pool and the ocean, with the ocean pool often being cooler, although it seems to vary and specific measurements have not been taken. . During summer, algae growth in the Port Kembla Pool is very rapid and needs to be emptied 2-3 times per week for cleaning. . The City has no plans to build new rock/tidal or ocean water fed pools, and has explored rationalising some of them however this has met strong community resistance. . The City reports that a preferred method for maintaining water quality in the ocean pools is the method used at the Andrew Boy Charlton swimming pool facility at Sydney Harbour which was redeveloped around 2000 also. It chemically treats the ocean water, micro- dosing it with chlorine to avoid the algae issues. Ocean water is used to top up the pool when backwashing the filters etc rather than constantly being pumped in and out of the pool. This form of pool is virtually the same as a traditional chlorinated pool with the only difference being that the water is originally sourced from the ocean rather than scheme water.
It is apparent from research undertaken for this study that an ocean pool is likely to carry significant maintenance responsibilities to keep it clean and fit for use.
The WA Department of Health was contacted in regards to how an ocean pool might be treated under the Health Code. The Manager Applied Environmental Health, principal author of the code, provided the following information: . Ocean pools are not covered by the existing Code of Practice for Aquatic Facilities as they use natural ocean water and not scheme/chemically treated water, therefore there are no regulations currently existing that govern their development and operation, including supervision requirements. . The Department of Health is aware of a significant amount of interest being shown by WA LGA’s in ocean pools at the present time, and this may result in the Department of Health expanding the Code of Practice to include ocean pools within the document. . It is recommended that the LGA’s use the Code of Practice as guidelines, and consider the construction and management of an ocean pool from a risk management point of view. . Spray parks should not use ocean water. This has been tried in Geraldton which had major difficulties causing equipment failure and had to be closed. Scheme water should be used for spray parks, even if they are located on the foreshore.
The Royal Life Saving Society WA (RLSS WA) branch was also contacted in regards to their stance on the minimum supervision requirements for an ocean pool, however, they advised that they do not currently have an official position on this matter but it is something they are looking into given the recent interest shown by WA LGA’s for ocean pools. It is known that RLSS WA have a preference towards constant supervision of any pool like body of water during normal operating hours, even if it is basic rescue and first aid to ensure users safety.
33 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study Although ocean pools may not currently be covered under the Health Code, it would appear given the eastern states experience of some LGA ocean pools moving to traditional supervision models due to risk factors and the increasing chance of litigation, some form of supervision should be a consideration in the management of such a facility, given that the purpose of the facility would be to provide similar aquatic opportunities as would be provided by a traditional outdoor pool.
Given the propensity for ocean pools to require frequent cleaning during the summer due to algae growth, an ocean pool should be fenced so that it can be closed when the water is not fit for swimming in and is being cleaned.
34 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 8 NEEDS ANALYSIS
8.1 Identified Needs
Two clear needs have arisen from the research and consultation undertaken for this report. They are:
A multi-use hydrotherapy pool to enable seniors and people with disabilities to be active, to aid peoples’ recovery from operations and injuries and to provide warm water program opportunities such as aquarobics and learn to swim classes for young children.
A multi-purpose lap pool to enable children and adults to train and participate in organised swimming, and provide a protected, safe and more accessible option for swimming for those who are unable or unwilling to swim in the ocean.
The need for a multi-use hydrotherapy pool is demonstrated through: . Increasing demand from an already significantly aged local population that is continuing to age, exacerbated by the Shire’s attractiveness as a place to retire to. Older persons have higher incidences of injuries and surgeries (i.e. knee replacements) which benefit from hydrotherapy. . The strong support it received in the community survey and community consultation sessions, with the hydrotherapy pool being ranked as the most important facility that the Shire should provide (60% of all survey respondents rated a hydrotherapy pool as important/very important) when compared with the other options. . The ability of a multi-use hydrotherapy pool to be utilised for warm water programs (i.e. aquarobics, baby learn to swim etc), with a warm water program pool ranking as the second most important facility in the community survey and indicated to be used by 70% of respondents 11 times or more per year. . The unique ability of a hydrotherapy pool to enable people with severe disabilities and the frail to freely move their limbs which they may otherwise find very difficult to do. This is very important for maintaining and improving their health and well being. . The travel to Geraldton is difficult and costly for the frail and elderly and their use of the Geraldton hydrotherapy pool is therefore infrequent.
The need for a multi-purpose lap pool is demonstrated through: . Physical activity participation statistics reveal that swimming is the number one organised physical activity participated in by children (17.7% of children aged 5-14 participate in organised swimming), and the third highest physical activity participated in by adults (behind walking and aerobics/fitness),with 9.6% of all persons aged 15+ participating in swimming. . A formal lap pool provides the opportunity for local children and adults to train and compete in club swimming and for carnivals to be hosted in the Shire. . The strong support it received in the community survey and community consultation sessions, with an indoor lap pool being ranked as the third most important facility that the Shire should provide (49% of survey respondents rated it as important/very important) when compared with the other options, closely behind the hydrotherapy pool and warm water program pool.
35 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study . It is a safer and more accessible place to swim for people of varying ages and mobility. Some people find it too difficult to access the water across the sand and are too unsteady on their feet to handle even small waves. A number of people are too scared to swim in the ocean because of sharks, and some just do not enjoy swimming at the beach. . It is a significantly more reliable venue than the ocean to conduct swimming programs, even if it is outdoors as it can still be protected from prevailing winds.
The need for a multi-use hydrotherapy pool is seen as being the highest priority need for the Shire. This is based on the community consultation process providing clear feedback that a hydrotherapy pool was of highest importance and also due to the observation that the Shire already provides numerous sport and recreation options for the physically able, but limited options for less able bodied people including seniors, people with disabilities, people with injuries and people recovering from surgery. Whilst able bodied people can easily utilise the ocean for swimming, it is difficult or not possible for less able bodied people to do the same. Therefore a highly accessible aquatic facility located within the Shire could be considered to fill the largest gap in provision of aquatic opportunities.
A multi-purpose lap pool is also seen as very important to the community as a more accessible and reliable place to learn to swim, train and compete. A multi-purpose lap pool could therefore be seen as a potential Stage 2 aquatic facility development for the Shire. Such a pool could be provided as a year round indoor facility, or as a seasonal outdoor pool, with the former being more desirable amongst the community but also significantly more costly to construct and operate.
8.2 Facility Development Options
In order to meet the identified aquatic needs of the community within a level of provision that balances costs with satisfying of needs for the Shire of Irwin, the following facility developments are proposed:
8.2.1 Priority 1 / Stage 1: Multi-Use Hydrotherapy Pool There is rationale for the provision of a multi-use hydrotherapy pool, built to common dimensions of approximately 10m x 6m; fully enclosed with m/f disabled changerooms, accessibility features such as a pool hoist, ramped entry and an adult change table; and collocated at the Irwin Recreation Centre.
Potential location of hydrotherapy pool and Corrigin Hydrotherapy Pool outdoor pool
36 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study A common size for hydrotherapy pools appears to be 10m x 6m, such as the recently constructed Shire of Murray and Shire of Corrigin hydrotherapy pools. This provides an adequate size space for learn to swim classes (typically 6 children per class) and conduct programs aquarobics.
The Irwin Recreation Centre (IRC) is the logical choice for the location of a hydrotherapy pool as it is an existing health and recreation related infrastructure, and provides the ability to utilise existing management to oversee the operation of the facility. The most suitable position appears to be near the entrance of the IRC located partially in the existing playground area. Modifications/extensions to the existing offices should allow an administration office to have clear view into the hydrotherapy pool as well as having frontage into the main lobby of the Centre to maximise supervision from existing staff, even if it is to be operated as an unsupervised facility.
Furthermore it is recommended that technology be utilised to improve supervision wherever possible, including the use of a video link that can be remotely accessed by appropriate personnel, including monitoring within the Managers office.
A floor plan of the Corrigin hydrotherapy pool is shown on the following page to provide an indication of the basic layout of a hydrotherapy pool that might be considered for the IRC.
Corrigin Hydrotherapy Pool
37 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 8.2.2 Priority 2 / Stage 2: Outdoor 6 Lane 25m Lap Pool with Leisure & Learn to Swim Area Attached There is rationale for the Shire to provide a 6 lane 25m outdoor lap pool with a modest toddlers & leisure/LTS area attached, including extensive wind barrier protection of the pool compound and solar pool heating. It should also be collocated at the Irwin Recreation Centre (similar to the Gingin pool design below).
Gingin Swimming Pool
Through the survey and direct consultation, the Shire of Irwin community has expressed a desire for a lap pool with a preference for it to be indoors. An indoor 6 lane 25m lap pool ranked third in level of importance (behind hydrotherapy pool and warm water program pool – which are addressed in Priority 1) with 50% of survey respondents rating it as important/very important and 70% of respondents saying they would utilised it 11 times or more per year.
It is recognised that there are numerous regional LGA’s that have larger lap pools (50m) and some with larger leisure/LTS pools than the Gingin pool design, and that the community has a preference for an for an indoor lap pool over an outdoor lap pool; however, there are several reasons that the proposed outdoor facility for Priority 2 / Stage 2 is considered an appropriate compromise for the Shire of Irwin. They are as follows: . An outdoor pool can be made more comfortable and protected from the elements through the provision of wind barriers on all sides and the warming of the water through the use of solar heating and blankets. Blocking the wind would remove the main environmental factor that constrains use of the ocean for swimming. . An indoor heated lap pool is far more expensive to build and operate than the same facility outdoors. The impact of an indoor facility on the Shire budget would be substantially greater supporting a 12 month operation and require a heating source for water and air. The Donnybrook and Waroona indoor pools are approximately 1/3 smaller than the Gingin outdoor pool facility, yet their operating deficits are 2-3 times greater. The additional life cycle costs of an indoor facility of similar specifications are indicatively in the order of $175,000 p.a. greater than an outdoor facility. . Dongara/Pt Denison is a seaside town. Whilst the ocean is not suitable for all people and is affected by the weather, many people love the beach and its central role as a place for recreation for the community will always remain. The presence of the ocean therefore can be expected to lower the level of recreational demand for a traditional pool as compared to inland LGAs, which has been clearly evident in the community consultation process.
38 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study . A 25m lap pool is an internationally recognised competition length and therefore does not impede swimmer development in any way when compared to a 50m pool. Ensuring that the lane widths are 2.5m will enable lanes to be shared for lap swimmers, which can be a significant improvement on capacity of some older pools that have been developed with narrower lane widths. . A pool with a single body of water is considerably less expensive to maintain than separated bodies of water, evidenced by the Gingin pool having the lowest level of operational expenditure of the 12 regional pools examined in the comparative review. A single pool requires a single pool filtration system, whereas two pools will require two separate systems. . Available space is a consideration at the IRC. A single body of water will have a smaller footprint than two separate pools and therefore will be easier to position and have less impact on existing features such as car parking spaces. A single pool would also be less expensive to fully enclose to create an indoor pool in the future than it would to enclose two separate pools if that option were to be taken up in the future. . The Geraldton Aquarena is a regional level facility that provides year round swimming with an indoor heated lap pool. Although it is a considerable distance to Geraldton that may be too inconvenient/expensive for frequent usage of the pool, it is an option that is available for persons who have a strong desire to swim laps in a heated pool during the winter. . Assuming that the development of an outdoor pool would be a second stage aquatic facility development with the construction of a hydrotherapy pool being the first stage, the Shire of Irwin residents will already have an option for swimming during winter which would be usable for many aquatic options but not ideal for lap swimmers.
8.2.3 Indoor 6 Lane 25m Lap Pool with Leisure & Learn to Swim Area Attached An indoor lap pool with leisure/LTS is highly desired by the community (ranking third in level of importance behind hydrotherapy pool and warm water program pool) however the cost is very high both to construct (and therefore replace) and to operate and maintain. Of the regional indoor aquatic facilities examined, the operating deficits ranged from $222,000 p.a. to $700,000, excluding depreciation. Indicative life cycle costs for an enclosed pool (6 lane 25m with leisure/LTS/Toddler area attached) is approximately $175,000 p.a. greater than a seasonal outdoor pool.
Although what is feasible/not feasible for a particular community is to a certain degree a subjective judgement that requires consideration of all of the other competing priorities of an LGA, other studies (Cooma Festival Swimming Pool Study, 2014) have suggested that a minimum population of 50,000 is required to ensure an indoor aquatic facility is viable.
Furthermore, should the Shire of Irwin develop a multi-use hydrotherapy pool, residents will have immediate access to a year round indoor heated facility. The development of a well protected seasonal outdoor pool with solar heating would further reduce the level of need for an indoor lap/leisure pool, providing lap swimming and competition opportunities in a comfortable environment for 6 months of the year. With this level of provision, residents of the Shire of Irwin would have a higher standard of aquatic facility provision than most other regional LGA’s of its size.
8.2.4 Ocean Pool and Potential Alternative Ocean Options An ocean pool in the same form as the proposed outdoor pool does not appear to provide the same level of benefits to the community as a traditional outdoor pool. The pool would not be able to be heated or have wind barrier protection. Whilst an outdoor pool at the beach could be a significant attraction for locals and tourists and make swimming in ocean water more accessible to people with mobility issues, it would still be subject to the strong winds that are a feature of the Shire’s coastline.
39 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study
Other issues with ocean pools that have been highlighted during the course of this study include; they can require significant amounts of cleaning due to rapid algal growth during the summer, and that there is potential that the Health Code may be amended in future to cover ocean pools which could further impact on current levels of supervision, cleaning and water treatment costs.
It is noted that there is a significant misconception in the community that the water in the marina is somewhat polluted from the fishing boats that are moored there. Discussions with the Shire of Irwin’s Community Safety Officer reveal that the water in the marina and sand/mud has very low pollutant levels, lower than Perth Metropolitan beaches and is perfectly safe to swim in. Boats are now cleaned on land and the pollutants taken away. The black mud present in the harbour is from silt that drifts in and settles from the river mouth but is not washed away because of a lack of wave action. The mud is a problem because it clouds up the water very quickly with lots of feet in one area, so this can be an issue for conducting learn to swim classes.
Part of the Foreshore Redevelopment Master Plan could consider resolving the muddy sand issue in the marina in some way, potentially even carting away some of the mud along the shoreline and swapping it with clean sand from a part of the beach where wave action naturally cleans the sand. A pontoon or jetty style structure simulating a 25 or 50m pool could be considered so as to provide lap swimming opportunities in clean, protected water.
Jetty ocean pool near Busselton Jetty, 75m x 50m
8.2.5 Do Nothing Option The option of ‘Do Nothing’ is one that would not improve residents’ ability to participate in swimming and enjoy the benefits that it provides. This option would continue to rely on the ocean as the primary venue for swimming, which is difficult for persons with mobility issues to access and enjoy. It is also a difficult place to teach young children to learn to swim and is exposed to the elements – most notably the strong winds. The do nothing approach would also mean that the growing aged population, with increasing rehabilitation and low impact exercise requirements would continue to be uncatered for in the Shire. The nearest hydrotherapy pool is located in Geraldton 65km away which requires considerable travel time making it too costly and time-consuming for many potential users to access on a regular basis.
It is also evident that the do nothing approach could be quite upsetting for a significant proportion of the community, as the development of aquatic facilities has been discussed over many years and the survey shows that 72% of respondents are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the current level of provision. The Community Survey results also show that the majority of respondents that are rate payers are prepared to pay additional rates for their desired facilities, with 89% prepared to pay $25 or more p.a. in rates and 62% prepared to pay $100 or more p.a., further demonstrating that the community wants improved aquatic facilities and is prepared to contribute financially.
40 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 9 COST ESTIMATES
Construction Cost Estimates have been prepared for the four potential aquatic facility developments that have been the focus of this study to enable comparison of costs. The specifications for the four options are as follows: . A 10m x 6m multi-use hydrotherapy pool collocated at the IRC including: – Single male and single female disabled changerooms. – Accessibility equipment including a pool hoist and adult change table. – Modifications/extensions to the IRC office to allow direct viewing into the hydrotherapy pool. – 160m2 pool enclosure. – Solar assisted heating for the pool and changerooms hot water system. . A 6 lane 25m outdoor lap pool collocated at the IRC including: – 100m2 toddler/leisure area attached to the lap pool – Changerooms and toilet facility – First aid room – Storage – Wind barrier on all sides apart from Recreation Centre side – Solar pool heating and pool blankets – Landscaping including BBQ and shade shelters . Enclosure of the outdoor pool at a future date, including: – 1200m2 pool enclosure – Heat pumps for pool and air heating . A 6 lane 25m ocean pool built on the foreshore protruding out into the marina water, including: – 100m2 toddler/leisure area attached to the lap pool – 1.5m width concourse around the three sides of the pool in the water. – Flow and return line to the ocean – 1200mm high pool fencing on all sides – Life guard shelter
A summary of the Cost Estimate Report is provided on the following page. The full Cost Estimate Report can be seen attached as Appendix 4 to this report.
41 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study Construction Cost Estimate Summary New 10m x 6m New 25m x 6 Enclose 25m New 25m x 6 Hydrotherapy lane Outdoor x 6 lane pool lane Ocean Pool Pool Pool Demolition $ 25,000 $ 10,000 $ 5,000 $ 25,000 New 10m x 6m Hydrotherapy Pool $ 291,500 $ - $ - $ - Hydrotherapy Building $ 470,000 $ - $ - $ - Changerooms $ - $ 428,100 $ - $ - Existing Recreation Centre Office and Lobby $ 108,000 $ 20,000 $ 20,000 $ - New 25m x 6 lane Outdoor Pool $ - $ 1,427,750 $ 100,000 $ 1,205,350 Enclose 25m x 6 lane pool $ - $ - $ 2,963,375 $ - External Services $ 145,000 $ 160,000 $ 50,000 $ 95,000 External Works $ 23,500 $ 522,500 $ 30,000 $ 50,000 Builder's Preliminaries $ 124,740 $ 308,202 $ 316,838 $ 137,535 Total Construction Cost $ 1,187,740 $ 2,876,552 $ 3,485,213 $ 1,512,885 Contingencies $ 216,763 $ 524,971 $ 636,051 $ 400,915 Furniture and Fittings $ 20,000 $ 25,000 $ 20,000 $ 27,000 Professional Fees $ 142,450 $ 342,652 $ 414,126 $ 291,120 Escalation $ - $ - $ - $ - Regional Allowance $ 170,940 $ 411,183 $ 496,952 $ 232,896 TOTAL ESTIMATED COMMITMENT EX GST $ 1,737,893 $ 4,180,358 $ 5,052,342 $ 2,464,815
EXCLUSIONS:
The following items have been specifically excluded from this Cost Indication:-
. Works to existing recreation centre other than allowances for connections between new and existing buildings . Works to existing car park areas . Upgrade of incoming services if insufficient to meet new demands . Holding and Finance charges . Legal costs . Escalation beyond August 2014 (Construction dates unknown)( Current escalation allowance 4% per annum) . Public Art
These cost estimates show the significant costs associated with aquatic facility development, noting that the facilities specified are considered moderate when compared to other regional facilities. It also shows that the development of an indoor 6 lane 25m lap pool with a leisure/LTS area attached would cost over $9 million in today’s dollar values.
Cost escalation is currently projected at 4% per annum over the next 5 years and must be factored in when budgeting for the development of any of these facilities at a future date.
42 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 10 POTENTIAL OPERATING BUDGETS
Potential operating budgets have been constructed to provide an indicative financial position for each option. The budgets are indicative of a mature operation (i.e. once the facility is fully operational with programs and services available and are in today’s dollars.
10.1 Outdoor Pool Operating Budget
The following operating budget has been prepared for a traditional outdoor pool.
Assumptions: . The pool, located at the Irwin Recreation Centre, is a 6 lane 25m lap pool with an attached toddler and leisure/LTS area similar to the Shire of Gingin Pool (one body of water), as proposed in the Facility Development Options section of this report. . Entry fee income is based on the comparable Gingin pool entry fee income of $35,000 p.a. which recorded 22,700 entries in 2013/14 (breakdown of entry types not known). Gingin pool season/opening hours and entry fees are shown in Section 11. . As a Group 1 facility, the pool will require a full time pool manager, and a casual lifeguard during the vacation swimming period as is the case at the Shire of Gingin pool. . Pool expenditure has been formed through a synthesis of budget data from the pools analysed in the Comparative Review, with the Shire of Gingin pool budget providing a starting point.
Outdoor Pool Operating Budget 2014/15 Income Expenditure Operating Income Entry Fees $35,000 Community Pool Revitalisation Program $30,000 Total Income $65,000
Operating Expenditure Pool Manager Salary Costs $70,000 Casual Wage Costs $3,500 Conference & Training Expenses $1,000 Administration Allocation $12,000 Chemicals $8,000 Water $4,500 Electricity $15,000 Telephone $150 General Pool Maintenance $20,000 Grounds Maintenance $5,000 Building Maintenance $5,000 Other Materials and Contracts $10,000 Total Expenditure $154,150 TOTAL OPERATING SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) ($89,150)
This budget indicates that an annual net operating deficit of approximately $90,000 is projected should the Shire decide to build and operate an outdoor pool facility as proposed in this study.
43 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study Impact of Potential Upgrade to an Indoor Pool The development of an operating budget has not formed part of this analysis, with the Needs Analysis clearly indicating that the provision a well protected outdoor pool and an indoor hydrotherapy pool would provide the community with a greater level of aquatic facility provision than most other regional local government authorities comparable to the Shire of Irwin. The comparative review revealed that there are four indoor pools in regional LGA’s with populations under 10,000. The two facilities most comparable facilities are the Donnybrook indoor pool and the Waroona indoor pool, with both including 6 lane indoor heated lap pools with small toddler/leisure areas attached. They have indicative operating deficits of $222,000 and $280,000 respectively. Therefore an indicative operating deficit for a modest indoor pool could be expected to be around $250,000 p.a.
10.1.1 Management If the outdoor pool were to be built in isolation, it would be expected that the management arrangement would be in line with common management arrangements for traditional outdoor pools found across regional WA. This consists of a qualified Pool Manager, employed by the Shire, responsible for the full operation of the facility. A casual lifeguard may also be employed for peak use days when there are large numbers of patrons it the pool or programs such as Vac Swim are being conducted. It is expected the pool manager’s direct superior would be the Manager of Recreation Services.
If the multi-use hydrotherapy pool is already constructed and operated with a manager and casual staff as indicated in the following section, then it is envisaged that the staffing would still need to increase by an equivalent amount to ensure adequate supervision of both water bodies and run programs; therefore there would be two full time staff + casuals in the swimming pool team.
44 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 10.2 Multi-Use Hydrotherapy Pool Operating Budget
There is little comparative budget information available on the operations of local government run hydrotherapy pools as there are few in existence. The Shire of Corrigin has a hydrotherapy pool with similar dimensions located at its aquatic centre rather than the recreation centre as is proposed for the Shire of Irwin and it has a significantly smaller population (1,100, 29% of Shire of Irwin). The pool manager believes that the Corrigin pool has significant untapped potential due to a lack of staffing to run high revenue programs and classes. The Shire of Merredin has a hydrotherapy pool at its recreation centre and has a similar population, however, its pool is smaller at approximately 8m x 4m (24m2), which is less than half the size of the Corrigin facility and proposed Shire of Irwin hydrotherapy pool. It is primarily a therapy pool with individual bookings restricted to those with referrals from a doctor or physiotherapist.
The proposed hydrotherapy pool (10m x 6m) could be operated conservatively as an unsupervised hydrotherapy pool by referral/appointment only with some limited programming as per the Shire of Merredin model, with estimated total expenditure of around $50,000 - $60,000 and income of $15,000 - $20,000 (assuming around 10 entries per day), however, it is apparent from the level of demand expressed by the community and the successful operations of many small swim school operations that given the staffing resources, the pool could be more highly programmed thus delivering significantly more services to the community with a potentially better net operating result.
Given the significant level of community demand for an indoor pool demonstrated in this study and the significantly larger size of the Shire of Irwin as compared to the Shire of Corrigin, it is a reasonable assumption that significantly higher attendances could be achieved for the proposed Shire of Irwin hydrotherapy pool.
The Shire of Irwin’s population is 3.36 times greater than the Shire of Corrigin, therefore extrapolating that to the Corrigin pools 2,200 entries p.a. the Irwin hydrotherapy pool could anticipate 7,400 entries if operated in the same way (by appointment only during summer, 9 hrs per week during winter). With a dedicated staff member and a strong emphasis placed on providing a range of programs to meet the needs of all age groups, it is anticipated that an average of 60 entries per day over the course of a year (accounting for seasonal variations) would be achievable, resulting in 14,400 entries per year if operated 5 days per week, 48 weeks per year, essentially doubling the number of entries per capita compared to the Shire of Corrigin pool.
This is considered a reasonable estimate given that unheated outdoor regional pools are known to achieve significantly higher numbers (Gingin pool averages 150 per day across mid spring to mid autumn season), and warm indoor pools of 32-34 degrees are highly sought after, particularly by the elderly and for young children’s learn to swim lessons.
The budget that follows reflects the potential operations of a 10m x 6m hydrotherapy pool similar to the Shire of Corrigin facility, based on input provided by the Shire of Corrigin pool manager and details of other regional indoor aquatic facilities.
Assumptions: . 1 Full Time Equivalent pool manager responsible for operating the pool, coordinating programming and providing lifeguard supervision. Casual lifeguard to assist with peak periods, as per outdoor pool, $3,500 p.a. . Operated 5 days per week, 48 weeks per year on similar days/hours as the IRC. . Average 60 swimmers per day, 14,400 per year.
45 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study . Average fee per swimmer $7.00. Entry fees as per Shire of Merredin ($5.00 concession, $7.00 adult) and programs $11.00 - $13.00 pp. Assumes that programmes will be conducted both by the pool manager and by external instructors whose participants will pay normal entry fees. . Solar heating used to supplement pool and hot water heating system, pool blankets will be applied in the evening. Water and air will be heated to 33-34 degrees.
Hydrotherapy Pool Operating Budget 2014/15 Income Expenditure Operating Income Entry Fees $100,800 Total Income $100,800
Operating Expenditure Pool Manager Salary Costs $70,000 Casual Wage Costs $3,500 Conference & Training Expenses $1,000 Administration Allocation $12,000 Chemicals $4,000 Water $2,000 Electricity $25,000 Telephone $150 General Pool Maintenance $10,000 Building Maintenance $5,000 Other Materials and Contracts $10,000 Total Expenditure $142,650 TOTAL OPERATING SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) ($41,850)
This operating budget indicates that a multi-use hydrotherapy will still have similar operating costs to a traditional outdoor pool but could operate at a significantly lower deficit primarily due to its ability to charge higher entry fees as it is a highly desirable indoor heated facility. However, given that there are very few hydrotherapy pools of a similar nature in small/medium regional LGA’s, a degree of caution should be undertaken with these potential budgeted results. A 20% increase/decrease in the number of entries would result in an income variation of $20,000. An increase or decrease in the number of entries would also be expected to have a modest impact on pool operating expenditure – i.e. water, chemical and power use.
A hydrotherapy pool could also be expected to have some cross promotion benefits. It may result in additional people buying gym memberships that otherwise might not have been interested, and gym members using the hydrotherapy pool that otherwise might not have. There may also be increased tourism from the ‘Grey Nomads’ and fewer residents travelling to Geraldton for swimming programs that could have potential positive economic impacts for the Shire.
Unlike the traditional outdoor pools found in most regional LGA’s throughout WA, multi-use hydrotherapy pools of the scale found in the Shire of Corrigin and proposed in this study are a new concept outside of Perth and the major regional population centres. Should the Shire decide to develop a multi-use hydrotherapy pool, it is recommended that the Shire prepares a detailed business plan in conjunction with designs for the hydrotherapy pool which develops a business model for the facility that the Shire is comfortable with and will achieve satisfactory operating results.
46 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study
10.2.1 Management It is proposed that the Shire of Irwin have a similar management structure for the hydrotherapy pool as it would for an outdoor pool, with the employment of a Pool Manager who would be responsible for the full operation of the facility. The pool manager may also wish to employ casuals to assist with running programs such as learn to swim and gentle exercise classes. It is expected the pool manager would report directly to the Manager of Recreation Services.
10.3 Ocean Pool Operating Budget
An ocean pool built in the Shire of Irwin would have a significant degree of uncertainty in regards to the operational expenditure it would incur as there is nothing similar in WA, as well as the fact that there are no WA Health department regulations in place to provide guidance for operational requirements. It is known that some ocean pool facilities that ‘pump and dump’ ocean water rather than rely on tides and waves are operated as public swimming pools and a number of them charge entry fees in the eastern states. The City of Wollongong chooses to make their pools free to the public, but they are still fenced and operated as a traditional public swimming pool facility in every other way. The City reports that although money is saved on chemicals and filtration equipment, extensive cleaning is required and their ocean pools cost them approximately the same as their other traditional pools to operate.
If the Shire of Irwin were to implement the same model of ocean pool as the City of Wollongong and fully supervise the ocean pool, then operating expenditure could be expected to be in the order of $150,000 p.a. as per the budget for the proposed outdoor pool. The facility would also need to be expanded to include a changeroom and administration building.
If no supervision was to be provided, then the operating expenditure could be expected to be in the order of $60,000 - $70,000 p.a. Expenditure items could potentially appear as follows: . Pool maintenance/cleaning - $40,000 . Electricity - $15,000 . Grounds Maintenance - $5,000 . Administration Allocation - $5,000
Alternatively, it may be that a reduced level of supervision could be found to be adequate as compared to a traditional pool, and that a lifeguard may simply be employed for peak usage times such as summer weekends and school holidays rather than the employment of a full time pool manager. The cost of a casual lifeguard would depend on the amount of supervision that is desired but assuming around a 0.5 full time equivalent lifeguard is desired than wage expenditure would be in the order of $30,000.
Under an unsupervised or partially supervised ocean pool scenario, there would be no income from admission fees. The ocean pool would also not be eligible for the annual $30,000 Community Pool Revitalisation Program.
The lack of income means that an unsupervised/partially supervised ocean pool would have an operating deficit of around $60,000 - $100,000. The upper end of this scale is on par with the operating deficit of the proposed Irwin outdoor pool.
47 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 11 OPENING HOURS AND FEES AND CHARGES
Potential opening hours and fees and charges have been identified for the outdoor pool and hydrotherapy pool facility development options identified in the Needs Analysis.
11.1 Outdoor Pool
The proposed Irwin Outdoor Pool is similar in nature to the Gingin facility and it is proposed that the opening hours and fees and charges be set on a similar basis. Analysis of other regional outdoor pools reveals that these opening times and fees and charges are fairly standard, although the child entry fee of $2.50 appears to be slightly less than a number of other pools that charge around $3.00.
Proposed Irwin Pool Admission Prices Admission prices: $ Adults 4.00 Children (5-16 years) 2.50 Children (Under 5 years) 1.50 Concession 3.00 Spectators Free Family Day Pass 10.00 2013/14 Season Ticket prices: Adults 115.00 Children 89.50 Children (under 5 years) 31.50 Concession 90.00 Family 300.00 Source: http://gingin.wa.gov.au/index.php/residents/community-services/gingin-iluka-aquatic-centre
A typical season for an outdoor pool is 5-6 months running from early/late October to late March/early April. In 2013/14 the Shire of Gingin opened its pool on the 26th October and closed in on the 6th April.
The Gingin pool opening hours are:
Shire of Gingin Pool Opening Hours Monday 6am - 7:30am, 12pm - 7pm Tuesday 12pm - 7pm Wednesday 6am - 7:30am, 12pm - 7pm Thursday Closed (Open in School Holidays from 12pm - 7pm) Friday 6am - 7:30am, 12pm - 7pm Saturday 12pm - 7pm Sunday 12pm - 7pm
This is a fairly typical pool open hours schedule, with many regional pools opening for 6 days per week and having three or four early morning swim sessions, followed by 12pm to 6-7pm, with some Shires adjusting their schedules for early, middle and late season pool use. It enables a wide range of times to be enjoyed by the community as well as keep the hours manageable for a single pool manager staff structure.
48 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 11.2 Multi-Use Hydrotherapy Pool
The proposed multi-use hydrotherapy pool is proposed to be part of the Irwin Recreation Centre, and therefore could be expected to have similar opening hours. Currently the Recreation Centre is open Monday to Friday and for 2 hours on a Saturday morning. The Hydrotherapy pool operating budget indicates 5 days per week operation, although there is potential it could also be open on the Saturday at the same time as the Recreation Centre as well, potentially on an unsupervised appointment only basis where similar to how the Shire of Merredin manages its hydrotherapy pool.
Should an outdoor pool be developed subsequently as a Stage 2 project to the hydrotherapy pool development, the hydrotherapy pool’s hours of operations could be extended to match the outdoor pools hours of operation during the outdoor pool season as the pool manager would already be onsite.
The Shire of Corrigin charges a flat $5 fee for entry into the hydrotherapy pool, whereas the Shire of Merredin charges $5 concession and $7 for adults. The Shire of Merredin entry fees would appear to be a fair setting for the Shire of Irwin, as it is generally considered reasonable to expect non concessional adults to pay more for a facility.
A multi-use hydrotherapy pool also provides opportunities for the Recreation Centre to run various aquatic programs which attract fees of around $11-$13 per person. Consultation reveals that there is likely to be high demand for learn to swim programs for babies and young children. There will also be an opportunity to create new gym membership packages that also include use of the hydrotherapy pool. As an example the Shire of Murray offers a rehabilitation package for use of the gym and hydrotherapy pool for $600 for 12 months.
49 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 12 LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS
Indicative life cycle costs of the aquatic facilities have been prepared utilising the operating budget results, a standard allowance for major maintenance and renewal utilised by DSR in recent aquatic studies and replacement based on a 40 year lifespan of the facility. The life cycle costs are as follows:
Multi-Use Multi-Use Ocean Pool Indoor Pool Hydro Pool Outdoor Pool Major Maintenance/Renewal 15,570 38,375 20,225 85,825 (1.5% of direct capital costs) Replacement 43,447 104,508 61,620 230,816 (40 year lifespan) Operating Deficit 41,850 89,150 65,000 250,000 Total Annual LCC $100,867 $232,033 $146,845 $566,641
Overall it can be seen that the total annual costs associated with operating, maintaining and eventually replacing aquatic facilities are significant, particularly when considered in light of the fact that the Shire’s total income from all funding sources is projected to be $10.63 million in the 2014/15 financial year. Ultimately it is a decision of the Council to determine what level of aquatic facility provision is/is not feasible for the Shire to provide.
50 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 13 FUNDING AND GRANTS
Apart from the Shire of Irwin’s own finances, the State Government is the key funding body that contributes funds towards projects such as the proposed Shire of Irwin hydrotherapy pool and traditional outdoor pool. In recent years, there have been two major avenues for regional councils to access State Government funds for sporting facilities; via the Community Sport and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) and the Royalties for Regions program. Lotterywest is also available for non sports recreation facility projects that fall outside of the scope of CSRFF funding and aim to cater for people in the community that have limited recreation opportunities. However, with significant negative impacts affecting the State economy at present and resulting changes to the State Budget, there is perceived to be a much reduced scope for Royalties for Regions funding for sport and recreation related projects for the foreseeable future.
13.1 Department of Sport and Recreation
13.1.1 Community Sport and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) The State Government invests approximately $20 million annually (via CSRFF) towards the development of new or upgraded community sport and recreation facilities, with the primary aim of increasing the participation rates in community sports and recreation (http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/164). There are three types of grants available: Small Grants ($2,500 - $50,000), Annual Grants ($50,000 - $166,666) and Forward Planning Grants ($166,667 - $4,000,000).
Grants are typically for one third of the project cost, with the maximum grant available being $4,000,000. CSRFF continues to provide significant support to the development/redevelopment of regional swimming pools.
In 2013/14 and 2014/15 there have been 8 aquatic facility related grants awarded including;
Shire of Gnowangerup . Construction of a new aquatic facility at Gnowangerup Recreation Complex: $700,000
Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes . Redevelopment of the Bridgetown Swimming Pool: $1,250,000
City of Kwinana . Upgrade of the Kwinana Recquatic facility: $900,000
City of Cockburn . Construction of a new multipurpose leisure and aquatic centre in Cockburn: $2,400,000
City of Canning . Installation of a geothermal heating system at Riverton Leisureplex: $700,000
City of Fremantle . Upgrade of the 25m and 50m Swimming Pools at the Fremantle Leisure Centre: $1,000,000 primarily supporting the development of geo thermal heating.
51 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study Shire of Collie . Upgrade of Collie Swimming Pool: $1,000,000 to assist with the rebuilding of the existing 50m pool and new leisure pool.
Shire of Wagin . Redevelopment of the Wagin Aquatic Centre: $161,333 primarily funding the Managers office, storage, first aid office and changerooms.
The Department of Sport and Recreation has expressed in principle support of the development of an outdoor pool as it meets their key objectives of improving participation in physical activity, however, any submission will be subject to the competitive grant process and as a rule, DSR does not indicate likelihood of success of any particular project. DSR does not provide support to projects such as the proposed multi-use hydrotherapy pool as they are deemed to be primarily physical therapy related facilities.
13.1.2 Community Pool Revitalisation Program In 2014 the WA Government replaced the $3,000 pool operating grant that was available to metropolitan and regional LGA’s with the Community Pool Revitalisation Program, which provides up to $30,000 p.a. for regional LGA aquatic centres to go towards centre maintenance, upgrades, purchase of pool equipment and staff training.
Community Pool Revitalisation Program funds will be allocated through a single funding round each year. The grant must be used to subsidise at least one of the following areas: . Capital upgrade of the aquatic centre, e.g. new heating system, new floodlighting, new pool shade covers. . Maintenance of the aquatic centre e.g. replacement of existing filters, concourse repairs. . Reduction of centre entry costs. . Staff development and/or training e.g. swimming instructor training. . Purchase of pool equipment e.g. lane ropes, inflatables.
13.2 Lotterywest
Lotterywest is a West Australian Government Agency that supports not for profit community based organisations through the provision of grants for a wide range of initiatives. Every year Lotterywest gives out over 1,000 grants totalling in excess of $100 million. 10-20% of this is recreation related.
Lotterywest has five broad grant areas being: 1. Extending the capacity of not-nor-profit arganisations 2. Strengthening community service delivery 3. Enhancing community development initiatives 4. Valuing Western Australian heritage 5. Advancing participation in community life
Lotterywest also has broad types of grants that may be requested under the five areas. These include: equipment, information technology, vehicles, service accommodation, community facilities, time limited projects and research.
52 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study The main criterion for funding is that the proposal encourages participation from people from all backgrounds and all abilities. The hydrotherapy pool appears to fit this criterion well as this study shows that a hydrotherapy pool will provide a much needed facility for exercise and recreation for people who currently have very few options due to their lack of physical capability. Lotterywest may be unlikely to provide funding for the proposed lap pool as this type of project typically falls under DSR’s CSRFF program. It is noted; however, that there are numerous examples of Lotterywest and DSR co-funding various projects.
Organisations are required to speak to a Lotterywest consultant prior to submitting a grant application. Provided the grant proposal is within the scope of Lotterywest’s funding objectives there is a high probability of receiving some level of funding.
Further details are available at http://www.lotterywest.wa.gov.au/grants
53 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 14 RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that the Shire of Irwin:
1. Receive the Shire of Irwin Aquatics Feasibility Study report.
2. Recognise that a hydrotherapy pool will meet the greatest level of need for the community and is the first priority aquatic facility development for the Shire.
3. Recognise that a well protected, seasonal, outdoor pool with solar heating for added comfort is a more financially sustainable level of aquatic facility provision than an indoor pool and is the second priority aquatic facility development for the Shire.
4. Recognise that an Ocean Pool in the form of an ocean water fed pool via pumps has significant management and maintenance considerations and that there may be alternative options for providing a sustainable enhanced ocean swimming area for investigation.
54 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study 15 APPENDICES
Appendix 1 Shire of Irwin Aquatics Family/Household Survey
Appendix 2 Shire of Irwin Aquatics Individuals Survey
Appendix 3 Public Submissions
Appendix 4 Construction Cost Estimate Report
55 Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study
APPENDIX 1 SHIRE OF IRWIN AQUATICS FAMILY/HOUSEHOLD SURVEY
Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study Appendix 1. Shire of Irwin Aquatics Family/Household Survey Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Q1 Do you live within the Shire of Irwin?
Answered: 61 Skipped: 0
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
Yes 98.36% 60
No 1.64% 1
Total 61
1 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Q2 Has one or more members of your household been swimming/used an aquatic facility (beach or pool) in the past 12 months?
Answered: 60 Skipped: 1
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
Yes 98.33% 59
No 1.67% 1
Total 60
2 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Q3 Would member(s) of your household become more likely to use aquatic facilities if new/improved facilities were provided in the Shire of Irwin?
Answered: 1 Skipped: 60
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
Yes 0.00% 0
No 100.00% 1
Total 1
# Comments Date
There are no responses.
3 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Q4 Please indicate the make up of your household (that currently live there). Please complete details for each member of your household, even if they do not use aquatic facilities.
Answered: 58 Skipped: 3
Age of Person
Person 1
Person 2
Person 3
Person 4
Person 5
Person 6
Person 7
Person 8
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Babies/Toddlers 0-2 yrs Young Children 3-5 yrs Children 6-12 yrs
Teenagers 13-17 yrs Young Adults 18-25 yrs Adults 26-39
Adults 40-54 Adults 55-69 Adults 70+
4 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Usage of Aquatic Facilities (Beach or Pool) Over Past Year
Person 1
Person 2
Person 3
Person 4
Person 5
Person 6
Person 7
Person 8
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
None Occasionally Moderately Frequently
Age of Person
Babies/Toddlers 0- Young Children 3- Children 6-12 Teenagers 13-17 Young Adults 18- Adults 26- Adults 40- Adults 55- Adults Total 2 yrs 5 yrs yrs yrs 25 yrs 39 54 69 70+
Person 3.45% 0.00% 3.45% 1.72% 1.72% 22.41% 39.66% 24.14% 3.45% 1 2 0 2 1 1 13 23 14 2 58
Person 0.00% 1.72% 0.00% 5.17% 1.72% 29.31% 37.93% 20.69% 3.45% 2 0 1 0 3 1 17 22 12 2 58
Person 4.65% 11.63% 25.58% 32.56% 11.63% 9.30% 2.33% 0.00% 2.33% 3 2 5 11 14 5 4 1 0 1 43
Person 11.11% 8.33% 41.67% 19.44% 11.11% 2.78% 2.78% 2.78% 0.00% 4 4 3 15 7 4 1 1 1 0 36
Person 14.29% 14.29% 50.00% 0.00% 7.14% 0.00% 14.29% 0.00% 0.00% 5 2 2 7 0 1 0 2 0 0 14
Person 0.00% 40.00% 20.00% 0.00% 20.00% 0.00% 20.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6 0 2 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 5
Person 0.00% 50.00% 0.00% 0.00% 50.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 7 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
Person 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 100.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 8 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Usage of Aquatic Facilities (Beach or Pool) Ov er Past Year
None Occasionally Moderately Frequently Total
Person 1 3.45% 15.52% 25.86% 55.17% 2 9 15 32 58
Person 2 5.17% 13.79% 31.03% 50.00% 3 8 18 29 58
Person 3 4.65% 2.33% 23.26% 69.77% 2 1 10 30 43
Person 4 0.00% 5.56% 22.22% 72.22% 0 2 8 26 36
Person 5 0.00% 7.14% 42.86% 50.00% 0 1 6 7 14
Person 6 0.00% 40.00% 20.00% 40.00% 0 2 1 2 5
Person 7 0.00% 50.00% 0.00% 50.00% 0 1 0 1 2
Person 8 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 100.00% 0 0 0 1 1
# Comments Date
1 The beach 6/4/2014 11:51 PM
2 Physical disabilities restrict entry to any pool that does not have walk-in ramp 6/4/2014 11:38 PM
3 Both enjoy swimming in the open ocean at South Beach 6/4/2014 11:26 PM
4 Beach frequently, pool occassionally. Would use pool frequently if there was one available locally 6/4/2014 11:10 PM
5 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
5 Beach and own family pool 6/4/2014 10:50 PM
6 I can't swim at beach and don't like sand. other aidult went to beach in broome. younger kids only for swimming lessons 5/15/2014 2:05 PM
7 Hydrotherapy pool use 5/1/2014 2:23 PM
8 Old man not keen on swimming, even tho'it would be very good for him!! 4/30/2014 5:02 PM
9 We have to drive to Geraldton for swimming lessons for both children. Most days are spent near the beach However in windy 4/29/2014 7:21 PM conditions and when the swell is to large the kids can't go near the water. The marina is full of black silt from the deisel and other by products of the comercial and recreational vessels in the area.
10 We have done toddler swimming in Geraldton and frequently use the beach! 4/29/2014 2:07 PM
11 Swim in Geraldton pool every Monday with 2 others from Dongara 4/22/2014 6:42 PM
12 rough a lot of the times for swimming therapy 4/15/2014 8:40 PM
13 Daily use 4/8/2014 2:20 PM
6 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Q5 How often do members of your household participate in the following types of aquatic activities? (please aggregate where two or more members participate in the same activity, i.e. 2 persons swimming for leisure 20 times per year and 10 times per year respectively = 30 times per year)
Answered: 56 Skipped: 5
Leisure/recreat ion
Competitiv e swimming...
Lap swimming for exercise
7 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey Aquatic fitness classes
Aquatic Physiotherapy
Learn to Swim classes...
Parent and baby/toddler...
Water Polo training and...
8 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Not at all 1-5 times per year 6-10 times per year 11-25 times per year
26-50 times per year 51-100 times per year 100+ times per year
Not at 1-5 times 6-10 times 11-25 times 26-50 times 51-100 times 100+ times Total all per year per year per year per year per year per year
Leisure/recreation 5.36% 8.93% 1.79% 7.14% 19.64% 30.36% 26.79% 3 5 1 4 11 17 15 56
Competitive swimming training and competition 80.36% 7.14% 5.36% 1.79% 5.36% 0.00% 0.00% 45 4 3 1 3 0 0 56
Lap swimming for exercise 39.29% 7.14% 3.57% 10.71% 17.86% 14.29% 7.14% 22 4 2 6 10 8 4 56
Aquatic fitness classes 76.79% 10.71% 0.00% 5.36% 3.57% 1.79% 1.79% 43 6 0 3 2 1 1 56
Aquatic Physiotherapy 85.71% 5.36% 1.79% 5.36% 1.79% 0.00% 0.00% 48 3 1 3 1 0 0 56
Learn to Swim classes (excluding parent & baby/toddler 58.93% 1.79% 8.93% 16.07% 8.93% 5.36% 0.00% classes) 33 1 5 9 5 3 0 56
Parent and baby/toddler swim classes (each class attended 82.14% 1.79% 1.79% 10.71% 1.79% 1.79% 0.00% by a parent & baby/toddler = 1) 46 1 1 6 1 1 0 56
Water Polo training and competition 98.21% 0.00% 0.00% 1.79% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 55 0 0 1 0 0 0 56
9 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Q6 What facilities do members of your household mostly utilise for these activities?
Answered: 56 Skipped: 5
Leisure/recreat ion
Competitiv e swimming...
Lap swimming for exercise
Aquatic fitness classes
10 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Aquatic Physiotherapy
Learn to Swim classes
Parent and baby/toddler...
Water Polo training and...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Not Applicable Beach Geraldton Aquarena Private pool
Perth based facility Other
Not Applicable Beach Geraldton Aquarena Priv ate pool Perth based facility Other Total
Leisure/recreation 3.57% 83.93% 1.79% 10.71% 0.00% 0.00% 2 47 1 6 0 0 56
Competitive swimming training and competition 80.36% 3.57% 10.71% 1.79% 0.00% 3.57% 45 2 6 1 0 2 56
Lap swimming for exercise 42.86% 10.71% 25.00% 14.29% 1.79% 5.36% 24 6 14 8 1 3 56
Aquatic fitness classes 75.00% 3.57% 16.07% 5.36% 0.00% 0.00% 42 2 9 3 0 0 56
Aquatic Physiotherapy 85.71% 0.00% 10.71% 3.57% 0.00% 0.00% 48 0 6 2 0 0 56
Learn to Swim classes 58.93% 10.71% 19.64% 7.14% 0.00% 3.57% 11 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey Learn to Swim classes 58.93% 10.71% 19.64% 7.14% 0.00% 3.57% 33 6 11 4 0 2 56
Parent and baby/toddler classes 82.14% 0.00% 12.50% 5.36% 0.00% 0.00% 46 0 7 3 0 0 56
Water Polo training and competition 98.21% 0.00% 1.79% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 55 0 1 0 0 0 56
# Comments Date
1 private pool in Geraldton. would use public pool in dongara 5/15/2014 2:07 PM
2 As we live in Dongara many of these activities are not available 4/30/2014 3:51 PM
3 N/A items due to no facilities in Dongara 4/30/2014 2:27 PM
4 IT would be different if we had a pool 4/29/2014 2:03 PM
5 Please note if the facilities were available in Dongara they would be doing Competative swimming, water polo and 4/29/2014 1:46 PM leisure/recreation more often. We do not like travelling to GEraldton to do this.
6 I would how ever use a pool for aquatic excerises if we had a pool in Dongara. 4/24/2014 4:16 PM
7 difficulty with aged persons at the beach walking on sand uphills etc. 4/15/2014 8:42 PM
8 Would use a local pool if avail 4/14/2014 5:04 PM
9 Beach and Perth based pool for lap swimming 4/4/2014 1:14 PM
12 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Q7 What time of year do members of your household mostly use a swimming pool?
Answered: 56 Skipped: 5
Mostly Summer Months
Mostly Winter Months
All Year Round
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
Mostly Summer Months 57.14% 32
Mostly Winter Months 1.79% 1
All Year Round 41.07% 23
Total 56
# Comments Date
1 Weather permitting 4/30/2014 5:05 PM
2 If visiting friends who have a pool 4/30/2014 2:27 PM
3 The pool in Geraldton is closed in Winter, we swim all year round in the Ocean 4/29/2014 7:26 PM
4 If a heated pool was available it would be all year round! 4/29/2014 1:46 PM
5 Geraldton Aquarena is all year round becuase heated. Otherwise private pools in town mostly summer months. 4/27/2014 4:34 PM
6 Would be inclined to use a pool all year round for aquatic excerises. 4/24/2014 4:17 PM
7 if we had one!!!!!!!! 4/15/2014 8:43 PM
8 Outdoor facilities closed in winter. 4/4/2014 1:15 PM
9 Would use all year around but Geraldton Shuts in some of the winter 4/2/2014 2:47 PM
13 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Q8 How satisfied are you with the aquatic facility options currently available to you/members of your household?
Answered: 57 Skipped: 4
Very Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Neither Satisfied no...
Satisfied
Very Satisfied
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
Very Dissatisfied 36.84% 21
Dissatisfied 36.84% 21
Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied 7.02% 4
Satisfied 14.04% 8
Very Satisfied 5.26% 3
Total 57
# Comments Date
1 Beach is fantastic. Geraldton pool is too far for use mostly. Old mill pool good for school swimming lessons but not available for 6/4/2014 11:13 PM most of the year
2 Love the beach! 6/4/2014 10:54 PM
3 Meets needs at moment but could require more as we get older 5/9/2014 11:01 AM
4 Assuming you mean within Irwin Shire. 5/1/2014 2:26 PM
5 It is a very frustrating situation that you need to plan a trip to Geraldton every time you wish to swim laps or for the kids to do 4/29/2014 7:28 PM swimming lessons.
6 Not happy that I need to go to Geraldton for swimming lessons outside of summer months. Also not happy that a hydrotherapy 4/27/2014 4:35 PM pool is not available in Dongara.
7 non existant withing the shire of irwin for aquatic facility (swimming pool, hydrotherapy) 4/15/2014 8:44 PM
8 Long drive to Aquarena 4/11/2014 12:15 PM
14 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Q9 Aquatic facilities can be costly to build and operate on an ongoing basis. In taking in to consideration the Shire's sea side location, proximity to Geraldton, and the sport and recreation facilities and services that the Shire is currently able to provide, please select a statement that best reflects your view on the importance of each of the different types of aquatic facilities.
Answered: 57 Skipped: 4
Outdoor lap pool (seasonal)
Indoor lap pool
Hydrotherapy pool (indoor)
Warm water program pool...
Outdoor leisure pool...
Indoor leisure pool
15 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Ocean pool (for lap...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Unnecessary
Desirable (Develop this option if ongoing financial impact to the Shire is minimal)
Important (Develop this option even if the ongoing financial impact to the Shire is modera...
Very Important (Develop this option even if the ongoing financial impact to the Shire is m...
Unnecessary Desirable (Dev elop this option Important (Dev elop this option ev en if Very Important (Dev elop this option Total if ongoing financial impact to the ongoing financial impact to the ev en if the ongoing financial impact to Respondents the Shire is minimal) Shire is moderate or less) the Shire is major or less)
Outdoor lap pool 38.60% 29.82% 21.05% 10.53% (seasonal) 22 17 12 6 57
Indoor lap pool 35.09% 24.56% 17.54% 22.81% 20 14 10 13 57
Hydrotherapy pool 15.79% 35.09% 21.05% 28.07% (indoor) 9 20 12 16 57
Warm water 26.32% 28.07% 19.30% 28.07% program pool 15 16 11 16 57 (indoor)
Outdoor leisure 43.86% 29.82% 17.54% 8.77% pool (seasonal) 25 17 10 5 57
Indoor leisure pool 36.84% 29.82% 10.53% 22.81% 21 17 6 13 57
Ocean pool (for 40.35% 31.58% 12.28% 15.79% lap swimming and 23 18 7 9 57 recreational use)
# If you hav e identified any facilities as "Very Important" please describe why this is so. Date
1 Ocean pools already in existance in different parks of Aust. have failed. Dongara's population will increase in the future is a pool 6/4/2014 11:57 PM that could be used ll year around would be preferable
2 Land based aquatic centre pool not affected by weather conditions as it ocean pool. Therefore land based aquatic centre pool 6/4/2014 11:40 PM would be able to be used more regularly
3 Can satisfactorily use beach for leisure, would be fantastic to have access to a pool year round for fitness and swimming training 6/4/2014 11:14 PM purposes
4 as it can be used all year round! 5/1/2014 5:30 PM
5 Ageing population of Dongara/Port Denison 5/1/2014 2:29 PM
6 an ageing population in this area needs this type of facility 4/30/2014 6:53 PM
7 Opportunity for older citizens to maintain mobility 4/30/2014 5:08 PM
8 Hydrotherapy would be advantagous to the elderly and an ocean pool would be the most cost effective and chemical free way of 4/30/2014 7:07 AM giving our community a structured and creature free place to swim and compete
9 Swimming is a very important skill for children and adults young or elderly to maintain a healhty active lifestyle. A healthy body 4/29/2014 7:36 PM contributes to a healhty mind and the community can only benifit from people of all ages participating in swimming whether it is for competition, recreation or for rehabilitation.
10 This type of facility will be utilised by all age groups at all times of the year, unlike the beach which can not be used when the 4/29/2014 4:06 PM southerly is blowing (more often than not). Healthy option for all ages especially children, safe environment to play away from the TV/ X box
11 Although you say the cost will be high, I beleive the amount of support there will be given to this facility will far outweigh 4/29/2014 1:51 PM negatives. If there was a heated indoor pool in Dongara, my children would do swimming club, water polo, have birthday parties and just go to enjoy on a very frequent basis. They were doing it in GEraldton but the travel was too much with their other activities, if they could do it in Dongara it will be supported.
12 healthy facility available for the whole community 4/28/2014 2:09 PM
13 Getting older it is better doing aquatic excerises. You get the excerises with less strain. 4/24/2014 4:20 PM
14 A warm water hydro therapy pool for babies, physio and the elderly plus a 25m 3 lane lap pool near the Rec Centre. A wind 4/22/2014 6:54 PM protected ocean pool near Granny s beach running parralel with the rocks would be inexpensive to run and good for School students and community.
15 Will make Dongara unique. Also give safe area for swimming. 4/21/2014 12:32 PM
16 high percentage of people in Dongara are aged. Where are the facilities for them in regards to pool. 4/15/2014 8:45 PM
17 Driving to Geraldton is time consuming and costly. Year round facilities should be provided in Dongara 4/10/2014 3:29 PM
16 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
18 Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise and even people with limited mobility and disabilities can benefit from access to a 4/4/2014 1:31 PM pool. Whilst we are big users of the ocean not everyone feels comfortable swimming and exercising in the sea. A pool would be extremely beneficial to the large population of older people in the Dongara/Denison area who perhaps have difficulty making their way to the beach (ie ones in wheel chairs or who require assistance walking. Geraldton is too far to travel for most people. Not only older people but also many younger ones are finding swimming a great fitness booster, and it opens the door for competition and events. My friend no longer holidays in dongara because her and her partner compete in triathlons and prefer now to go to geraldton where the pool is so they can continue training.
17 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Q10 Are you a rate payer?
Answered: 57 Skipped: 4
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
Yes 89.47% 51
No 10.53% 6
Total 57
18 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Q11 What is the maximum amount you would be prepared to pay in additional annual rates to fund the construction and ongoing operation of new aquatic facilities that you would like to see in the Shire of Irwin?
Answered: 51 Skipped: 10
0
$25
$50
$75
$100
$125
$150
$175
$200
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
0 11.76% 6
$25 7.84% 4
$50 9.80% 5
$75 5.88% 3
$100 25.49% 13
$125 0.00% 0
$150 11.76% 6
$175 0.00% 0
$200 27.45% 14
Total 51
19 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Q12 What is the maximum amount per entry you would be prepared to pay for:
Answered: 51 Skipped: 10
Adult
An Indoor Aquatic Cent...
An Indoor Hydrotherapy...
An Outdoor Aquatic Cent...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
$0 $1 $2 $3 $4 $5 $6 $7 $8
$9 $10
20 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Concession (children, pensioners etc)
An Indoor Aquatic Cent...
An Indoor Hydrotherapy...
An Outdoor Aquatic Cent...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
$0 $1 $2 $3 $4 $5 $6 $7 $8
$9 $10
Adult
$0 $1 $2 $3 $4 $5 $6 $7 $8 $9 $10 Total
An Indoor Aquatic Centre (Lap Pool and 19.61% 0.00% 1.96% 3.92% 15.69% 31.37% 7.84% 5.88% 7.84% 1.96% 3.92% Leisure/Program Pool) 10 0 1 2 8 16 4 3 4 1 2 51
An Indoor Hydrotherapy Pool 21.57% 0.00% 3.92% 5.88% 5.88% 23.53% 7.84% 5.88% 5.88% 5.88% 13.73% 11 0 2 3 3 12 4 3 3 3 7 51
An Outdoor Aquatic Centre (Lap Pool and 27.45% 1.96% 7.84% 11.76% 13.73% 31.37% 0.00% 0.00% 1.96% 0.00% 3.92% Leisure/Program Pool) 14 1 4 6 7 16 0 0 1 0 2 51
Concession (children, pensioners etc)
21 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
$0 $1 $2 $3 $4 $5 $6 $7 $8 $9 $10 Total
An Indoor Aquatic Centre (Lap Pool and 25.49% 3.92% 11.76% 27.45% 11.76% 13.73% 0.00% 3.92% 0.00% 0.00% 1.96% Leisure/Program Pool) 13 2 6 14 6 7 0 2 0 0 1 51
An Indoor Hydrotherapy Pool 23.53% 0.00% 9.80% 23.53% 9.80% 25.49% 0.00% 3.92% 1.96% 0.00% 1.96% 12 0 5 12 5 13 0 2 1 0 1 51
An Outdoor Aquatic Centre (Lap Pool and 31.37% 9.80% 13.73% 27.45% 3.92% 7.84% 1.96% 1.96% 0.00% 0.00% 1.96% Leisure/Program Pool) 16 5 7 14 2 4 1 1 0 0 1 51
# Comments Date
1 Airy fairy questions - should be in line with other similar facilities 6/4/2014 11:59 PM
2 Only if ocean pool 6/4/2014 11:53 PM
3 More people would use the facility if entry fee kept low 6/4/2014 11:42 PM
4 Would be good to have family bulk discounts 6/4/2014 11:16 PM
5 If we are to have any aquatic facility it should be indoor to allow for year round use. 5/1/2014 2:32 PM
6 You should off discout when bulk buying like Adult 10 SWIMS = $54.00 Concession/Child 10 SWIMS $35 Hydro 10 SWIMS $65 4/29/2014 2:03 PM
7 The 3 options are not a suitable choice for us. An ocean pool would be free as is the beach, an Indoor pool would be far too 4/22/2014 7:03 PM expensive to run, an Indoor hydrotherapy pool MUST have 2 or 3 lap lanes along the side.
8 Indoor lap pool maybe for winter, but not a priority beach is fine 4/8/2014 2:27 PM
9 I would like to see season passes or multi entry passes available to encourage regular use by the local population 4/4/2014 1:33 PM
22 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Q13 How often would members of your household make use of the following facilities if they were provided in the Shire of Irwin? (please aggregate usage if more than one person is likely to use the facility, i.e. 2 persons use the hydrotherapy pool 10 times per year each = 20)
Answered: 57 Skipped: 4
Outdoor lap pool (seasonal)
Indoor lap pool
Hydrotherapy pool (indoor)
Warm water
23 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey program pool...
Outdoor leisure pool...
Indoor leisure pool
Ocean pool (for lap...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Never 1-5 times per year 6-10 times per year 11-25 times per year
26-50 times per year 51-100 times per year 101+ times per year
Nev er 1-5 times 6-10 times 11-25 times 26-50 times 51-100 times 101+ times Total per year per year per year per year per year per year Respondents
Outdoor lap pool (seasonal) 42.11% 3.51% 3.51% 12.28% 14.04% 15.79% 8.77% 24 2 2 7 8 9 5 57
Indoor lap pool 24.56% 3.51% 5.26% 12.28% 22.81% 10.53% 21.05% 24 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey Indoor lap pool 24.56% 3.51% 5.26% 12.28% 22.81% 10.53% 21.05% 14 2 3 7 13 6 12 57
Hydrotherapy pool (indoor) 26.32% 17.54% 8.77% 17.54% 14.04% 8.77% 7.02% 15 10 5 10 8 5 4 57
Warm water program pool (indoor) 19.30% 7.02% 8.77% 14.04% 21.05% 17.54% 12.28% 11 4 5 8 12 10 7 57
Outdoor leisure pool (seasonal) 24.56% 8.77% 3.51% 19.30% 19.30% 17.54% 7.02% 14 5 2 11 11 10 4 57
Indoor leisure pool 26.32% 3.51% 3.51% 15.79% 17.54% 15.79% 17.54% 15 2 2 9 10 9 10 57
Ocean pool (for lap swimming and 22.81% 12.28% 5.26% 17.54% 21.05% 10.53% 10.53% recreational use) 13 7 3 10 12 6 6 57
# Comments Date
1 Ocean pool - why have one when you already have the beach. Spend the extra money for something that can be used all year 6/5/2014 12:00 AM round
2 Ocean pool is not suitable for most persons with disabilities and elderly due to wave action - loss of balance. Any facility must 6/4/2014 11:43 PM have ramp walk in access.
3 Currently no need for hydrotherapy pool but may require at a future date 6/4/2014 11:28 PM
4 We will use what ever gets built 4/30/2014 7:14 AM
5 Ocean pools still require chemicals and when the wind is blowing (always) it is not nice to swim - a pool is preferable 4/10/2014 3:31 PM
6 Funds better spent cleaning south beach 4/8/2014 2:30 PM
25 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Q14 If a bus service was made available for trips to the Geraldton Aquarena, how often might members of your household make use of it?
Answered: 57 Skipped: 4
Nev er
Occasionally
Regularly
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
Never 64.91% 37
Occasionally 29.82% 17
Regularly 5.26% 3
Total 57
# Comments Date
1 Any benefit gained from exercise session would be loss because of distance travelled afterwards 6/4/2014 11:44 PM
2 Depends on time tables 6/4/2014 11:36 PM
3 Maybe suitable for swim training for kids, however time is often a limiting factor and travel time be limiting frequency of use 6/4/2014 11:19 PM
4 Not appropriate for our family 5/15/2014 2:09 PM
5 Children still require supervision 4/30/2014 2:33 PM
6 Just depends on times and cost, because you are already paying for the pool in GEraldton they you have to pay for the bus, I 4/29/2014 2:06 PM would prefer to pay $1 more to get into the Pool in Dongara and use that 5 days a week than drive to Geraldton.
7 If a suitable day was picked. It takes up nearly the whole day to go swimming in Geraldton. 4/22/2014 7:06 PM
8 Until the shire decided it was not profitable to send a bus up. 4/15/2014 8:48 PM
9 The bus times would rarely suit these busy times for families 4/14/2014 5:10 PM
10 This is a waste of ratepayers money 4/10/2014 3:32 PM
11 Only when car unavailable 4/8/2014 2:31 PM
12 It would depend a lot on timings and the price of the bus 4/4/2014 1:35 PM
26 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
Q15 Do you have any further comments you'd like to add?
Answered: 31 Skipped: 30
# Responses Date
1 We have an ocean why don't we make do with that, instead of make more bills 6/4/2014 11:54 PM
2 At my suggestion many years ago, a walk in ramp with hand rails was incorporated in the construction of the pool at Carnamah - 6/4/2014 11:46 PM benefit for seniors, exercising, post joint surgery etc. and recovery after accidents/stroke etc, and people of all ages with disabilities.
3 An ocean pool is next to useless with all the beach front available to us 6/4/2014 11:36 PM
4 Believe a hydrotherapy pool would be welcomed by retired who are unable to use the beach or fore health needs. An ocean pool 6/4/2014 11:30 PM would facilitate those who need to do laps or otherwise as water is always warm here in the north.
5 Dongara is a town with an aging population. I see a hydrotherapy pool as a future need for the community. An indoor pool would 6/4/2014 11:25 PM be beneficial to all age brackets. Our school is only going to grow an l see swimming lessons and competitions an integral part of our children's education.
6 Trips to Geraldton are expensive. It would also depend on the cost of entrance to the pool as to how much extra rates willing to 6/4/2014 11:20 PM pay.
7 Hydrotherapy for aged and infants otherwise what we have is ok. 6/4/2014 10:57 PM
8 As a parent of 3 children I would much prefer to drive us all to Gero on our own schedule but I believe a bust service would be 5/15/2014 4:43 PM useful for many individuals.
9 A pool would be great to encourage people to live healthier and exercisr more 5/15/2014 2:10 PM
10 We need one, for our children! 5/1/2014 5:32 PM
11 Any outdoor aquatic facility would be a waste of rate payers money. Why we spent $millions on the new Rec Centre without a 5/1/2014 2:36 PM pool is ridiculous. A hydrotherapy pool would not only benefit the ageing population but also the sporting community as well.
12 It seems incredibale that a town of our size as no aquatic facility (other than the ocean) when smaller inland towns have 50m 4/30/2014 3:55 PM pools to use.
13 We would have had an ocean pool 10 years ago if it wasn't for a minority few that would only settle for a very expensive indoor 4/30/2014 7:23 AM heated pool. If we had it 10 years ago then I would have literally saved thousands of dollars over that decade taking my two children to Geraldton to learn to swim in an environment other than the beach. The school kids also need a place to compete. Lets this time tell that minority to stick it up there ass.
14 I find it quite difficult to beleive that this town does not already have a pool and or an Aquatic Centre. Dongara is a beautiful town 4/29/2014 7:52 PM to live in we love the lifestyle here is amazing, an Aquatic centre could only serve to enhance this already great town for residents and also for the tourist population. For the town to grow and move forward into the future community facilities like this are very important. The cost of these projects are often what stop them. I realise this needs to be considered but how can we measure the cost to the health and wellbeing of the community by not having these type of facilities.
15 The school children could also benefit from an indoor pool for swimming lessons as well as adult and toddler lessons during the 4/29/2014 2:30 PM year! Our large elderly population would benefit from a heated pool which may need a chair lift for some to gain access (as other pools have ie TS). I think the community needs a pool that covers recreation and fitness all year round!
16 Sea side community needs a pool for kids to learn it unbelievable places like eneabba has a pool and Dongara doesn't . . gym 4/29/2014 2:19 PM etc is very poor for such a thriving tourist town
17 I feel the Shire needs an indoor pool. I am happy to pay towards this pool on an ongoing basis. I don't feel an Ocean Pool will be 4/29/2014 2:08 PM used as much. Providing an indoor pool will also give some kids in town who have been trained in Surf Life Saving to get a part time job and use their skills. It's a waste not to have one,, the school can host swimming carnivals and the town can host swimming club meets, which will bring more tourists/income into the town and into the pool.
18 About time the shire got a pool, many people have been fighting for one for years. The school kids have to use the ocean or the 4/29/2014 2:06 PM private pool at a Motel pretty rediculous!
19 People travelling to Geraldton for things like swimming lessons takes further money out of Dongara as people also do their 4/27/2014 4:44 PM shopping whilst in Geraldton instead of Dongara. Having more services available in Dongara will help all other businesses in town.
20 No but just would be very interested in hydrotherapy pool for excises on a regular basis. 4/24/2014 4:25 PM
21 We would very much like to see an Ocean pool developed which does not require supervision(expense), which is as protected 4/22/2014 7:12 PM from the southerly winds as possible, and uses free flowing water from the ocean but the buffeting effect of the waves is minimized. Perhaps a black flooring to absorb the suns warmth could be attached to floats, so it could rise and fall with the tide?!
22 Extra charges per rate payer should be a set amount for all rate payers. ie some rates are $3500 pa and the average is say $800. if 4/21/2014 12:38 PM a $25 additional charge for the pool is set, I don't want to pay 4 times the $25 charge, only the $25.ie everyone pays the same amount.
23 Children of Dongara miss out of vacation swimming opportunities, the ocean is only available and you are subject to the 4/20/2014 5:40 PM elements and marine life, with frequent increased sightings of sharks been reported each year. The school swimming classes are held at the Old Mills Hotel, there pool is inadequate, cold and too small. I took my children to Geraldton to the Aquarena for xmas school holidays and they improved by 150% by having the opportunity to learn to swim in a safe and well equipped facility. Dongara really needs this, our kids never get to represent their school in interschool swimming carnivals in Dongara - we always have to travel to other towns that have a pool.It is disappointing and I am sure by hosting events like this in Dongara it will bring money into the town. The need for a hydrotherapy pool is also badly needed, we have an ageing community and alot of these people are having hip and knee surgery. Recovery times are improved with early rehabilitation in the hydrotherapy pool. Alot of the aged do not drive to Geraldton and the bus service is limited to once a month, during the summer months. Dongara would be such an amazing place to live with the added attraction of a town pool. An ocean pool does not provide the same advantages as a indoor pool with hydrotherapy attached. I am fully supportive of building a town pool and would be happy to pay extra in my rates.
24 How about some return for our rates with at least a warm water pool for all the aged persons in town. We get little visual things in 4/15/2014 8:50 PM town in return for our rates. How many more surveys are we going to get before action.
27 / 28 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Family/Household Survey
25 Dongara is very overdue for a proper swimming facility, (especially for children) for health and fitness, many smaller towns and 4/12/2014 2:27 PM shires have a swimming facility even though they only have a couple of hundred people, it would be a major asset to the community and for the health of the population in general, there are also many pensioners who would benefit as well as the children and general community. Trying to learn to swim or swim laps in the ocean here is extremely hard as they have to contend with jellyfish, stingers, sharks, extreme weather conditions.
26 i realise the cost of a swimming pool would be unattractive but maybe a ocean pool if we have a suitable design could be an 4/11/2014 12:20 PM option.
27 We pay excessive rates now for very little return, i think the shire need to listen to rate payers instead of thinking what might be 4/10/2014 3:33 PM more interesting to tourists. We pay their wages, not tourists
28 Shire would be better making the beaches cleaner places so that we can all enjoy our natural resources! Why build facilities that 4/8/2014 2:34 PM are unnecessary, visits want the beaches that is why they come, they can stay close to home and have pools etc, they want the freedom the beach offers.
29 Why do we continually have to go over old ground when the council has voted years ago that the community could not afford a 4/8/2014 2:20 PM facility of this nature. Look at what a pool cost to to run in Geraldton and surrounding country towns.
30 A pool complex has been needed in Dongara for ALONG time, it would not only benefit the local residents for health and 4/7/2014 10:07 AM recreational use, it would attract swimming carnivals to the town which would benefit the town and complex financially. It would also benefit other areas such as Mingenew who do not have such a complex.
31 As a relatively new resident of the area, I have to say I really miss having a pool available. We make good use of the ocean, but 4/4/2014 1:41 PM its not the same as being able to swim early morning and evening in the safety of a pool. Also sometimes the ocean is not the nicest (due to the weather, jellyfish etc). The 60km trek to geraldton is not an option, as it becomes unaffordable with fuel and time. I do think that a pool in Dongara/Denison will encourage fitness for the local population, help with many ailments and also attract people to the area. it really would then be the holiday destination with everything. I am so glad this is being considered and hope something comes from it
28 / 28
APPENDIX 2 SHIRE OF IRWIN AQUATICS INDIVIDUALS SURVEY
Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study Appendix 2. Shire of Irwin Aquatics Individuals Survey Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Q1 Do you live within the Shire of Irwin?
Answered: 161 Skipped: 0
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
Yes 97.52% 157
No 2.48% 4
Total 161
1 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Q2 Age
Answered: 155 Skipped: 6
15-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70-80
80+
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
15-19 1.29% 2
20-29 11.61% 18
30-39 27.74% 43
40-49 29.68% 46
50-59 16.77% 26
60-69 9.68% 15
70-80 3.23% 5
80+ 0.00% 0
Total 155
2 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Q3 Sex:
Answered: 155 Skipped: 6
Male
Female
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
Male 23.87% 37
Female 76.13% 118
Total 155
3 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Q4 Have you been swimming/used an aquatic facility (beach or pool) in the past 12 months?
Answered: 154 Skipped: 7
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
Yes 92.86% 143
No 7.14% 11
Total 154
4 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Q5 Would you be likely to become a user of aquatic facilities if new/improved facilities were provided in the Shire of Irwin?
Answered: 11 Skipped: 150
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
Yes 81.82% 9
No 18.18% 2
Total 11
# Comments Date
1 Would love a pool, as don't like the beach 5/15/2014 3:27 PM
2 I have arthritis and need a pool to walk in, I'm also very overweight! 4/29/2014 4:45 PM
3 A facility of this nature will cost ratepayers to much 4/8/2014 2:13 PM
5 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Q6 How often do you participate in the following types of aquatic activities?
Answered: 135 Skipped: 26
Leisure/recreat ion
Competitiv e swimming...
Lap swimming for exercise
Aquatic fitness classes
6 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Aquatic Physiotherapy
Swimming Instruction...
Water Polo training and...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Not at all 1-5 times per year 6-10 times per year 11-25 times per year
26-50 times per year 51-100 times per year 100+ times per year
Not at 1-5 times 6-10 times 11-25 times 26-50 times 51-100 times 100+ times Total all per year per year per year per year per year per year
Leisure/recreation 6.67% 8.89% 7.41% 19.26% 13.33% 26.67% 17.78% 9 12 10 26 18 36 24 135
Competitive swimming training and competition 87.41% 8.15% 2.22% 0.00% 1.48% 0.74% 0.00% 118 11 3 0 2 1 0 135
Lap swimming for exercise 39.26% 10.37% 10.37% 8.89% 20.00% 8.15% 2.96% 53 14 14 12 27 11 4 135
Aquatic fitness classes 70.37% 10.37% 8.15% 3.70% 5.19% 0.74% 1.48% 95 14 11 5 7 1 2 135
Aquatic Physiotherapy 72.59% 10.37% 3.70% 6.67% 3.70% 1.48% 1.48% 7 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey Aquatic Physiotherapy 72.59% 10.37% 3.70% 6.67% 3.70% 1.48% 1.48% 98 14 5 9 5 2 2 135
Swimming Instruction (Learn to Swim classes, 71.85% 2.96% 4.44% 5.93% 7.41% 2.96% 4.44% Bronze Medallion etc) 97 4 6 8 10 4 6 135
Water Polo training and competition 96.30% 2.96% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.74% 0.00% 130 4 0 0 0 1 0 135
# Comments Date
1 The opportunity for lap swimming would be attractive to me 6/4/2014 10:35 PM
2 Austswim qualified instructor 6/4/2014 10:15 PM
3 In Geraldton 6/4/2014 10:08 PM
4 but in doing these activities we hsve to travel out of town & spend our money else where instead of in our own community. 5/16/2014 12:47 AM
5 Because it's too far to travel to a aquatic centre I do not participate in any of these activities. Before I lived in Dongara I do them 5/15/2014 5:51 PM all
6 Most are not at all because they are not even available 5/15/2014 5:26 PM
7 i would definately do some of the things i have chosen not at all for if we actually had a pool in town to do them in! 5/15/2014 3:23 PM
8 none available 5/7/2014 9:07 PM
9 i would do aquatic classes if we had it here i used to attend in hedland twice a week 5/7/2014 4:30 PM
10 Have to use own pool for laps and beaches for recreation 5/7/2014 10:01 AM
11 Would do more if it was local 5/6/2014 9:23 PM
12 Ocean is free and right there... 5/6/2014 7:09 PM
13 I swim in Geraldton 5/6/2014 7:04 PM
14 There are a lot of activities I would like to participate in but without the facilities it is difficult 5/2/2014 11:20 PM
15 Sailing 5/2/2014 9:47 AM
16 Don't have a pool for these opportunity 4/29/2014 11:35 PM
17 Swim in the sea at Pt Denison. Would love to swim more but conditions not always suitable. 4/29/2014 9:42 PM
18 As there is no pool the training etc can't be done 4/29/2014 9:01 PM
19 Can't swim well enough to go where there is waves 4/29/2014 7:26 PM
20 If we had one 4/29/2014 6:14 PM
21 I would like to participate in these water activities more often but we do not have the facilities in Dongara/port Denison 4/29/2014 4:57 PM
22 we go to the beach 4/29/2014 4:27 PM
23 I would swim laps daily if we had a pool! 4/29/2014 4:26 PM
24 Take my children to swimming lessons. 4/29/2014 3:43 PM
25 I don't but would if we had a pool 4/29/2014 3:29 PM
26 I woulddefinately use a lap pool if there was one in Irwin, I currently use Geraldton facilities 4/29/2014 3:15 PM
27 as there is no available pool 4/29/2014 2:25 PM
28 Haven't had the facilities to participate in those activities 4/29/2014 1:56 PM
29 I am a keen swimmer and I think it important for the kids to participate regularly. these participation levels are packing the entire 4/29/2014 1:48 PM family up and driving them to Geraldton. obviously if there a pool nearby I would be there daily to swim laps.
30 Would participate in Aquatic Fitness Classes if held in Dongara 4/28/2014 11:10 PM
31 I would participate in the aquatic activities if they were available in the Irwin Shire 4/27/2014 10:15 PM
32 I would do laps if there was a pool 4/22/2014 4:32 PM
33 I need to go to Geraldton for therapy due to myillness 4/17/2014 12:42 PM
34 Family uses it heaps more than I do 3x child and husband 4/15/2014 3:18 PM
8 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Q7 What facilities do you mostly utilise for these activities?
Answered: 134 Skipped: 27
Leisure/recreat ion
Competitiv e swimming...
Lap swimming for exercise
Aquatic fitness classes
Aquatic 9 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey Physiotherapy
Swimming Instruction...
Water Polo training and...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Not Applicable Beach Geraldton Aquarena Private pool
Perth based facility Other
Not Beach Geraldton Priv ate Perth based Other Total Applicable Aquarena pool facility
Leisure/recreation 4.48% 65.67% 17.91% 11.19% 0.75% 0.00% 6 88 24 15 1 0 134
Competitive swimming training and competition 84.33% 5.97% 6.72% 2.24% 0.75% 0.00% 113 8 9 3 1 0 134
Lap swimming for exercise 30.60% 12.69% 30.60% 20.15% 2.24% 3.73% 41 17 41 27 3 5 134
Aquatic fitness classes 68.66% 6.72% 21.64% 2.24% 0.75% 0.00% 92 9 29 3 1 0 134
Aquatic Physiotherapy 68.66% 4.48% 18.66% 5.97% 1.49% 0.75% 92 6 25 8 2 1 134
Swimming Instruction (Learn to Swim Classes, Bronze Medallion 67.91% 6.72% 17.91% 5.22% 0.75% 1.49% Course etc) 91 9 24 7 1 2 134
Water Polo training and competition 90.30% 1.49% 7.46% 0.00% 0.75% 0.00% 121 2 10 0 1 0 134
# Other (please specify) Date
1 Would be nice not to have to travel to Geraldton for these activities 6/4/2014 10:22 PM
2 Surfing 5/6/2014 7:10 PM
3 Sailing 5/2/2014 9:48 AM
4 Work pool 4/29/2014 1:22 PM
10 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Q8 What time of year do you mostly use a swimming pool?
Answered: 134 Skipped: 27
Mostly Summer Months
Mostly Winter Months
All Year Round
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
Mostly Summer Months 54.48% 73
Mostly Winter Months 4.48% 6
All Year Round 41.04% 55
Total 134
11 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Q9 How satisfied are you with the aquatic facility options currently available to you?
Answered: 144 Skipped: 17
Very Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Neither Satisfied no...
Satisfied
Very Satisfied
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
Very Dissatisfied 46.53% 67
Dissatisfied 25.00% 36
Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied 11.81% 17
Satisfied 13.89% 20
Very Satisfied 2.78% 4
Total 144
# Comments Date
1 Our school kids need a shire owned pool to learn stroke technique and our elderly do not need to travel on a bus to Geraldton for 6/4/2014 10:22 PM aquatic physio. Especially when we are encouraging them to come and live here.
2 Dongara needs a pool! 6/4/2014 9:48 PM
3 Would rather support my own community 5/16/2014 12:50 AM
4 could only improve with an Ocean Pool 5/15/2014 6:11 PM
5 There are no options 5/15/2014 5:27 PM
6 Don't have any 5/15/2014 3:27 PM
7 very disappointed that no pool is available in this booming town. There are a lot of children in this town who need to do 5/15/2014 3:25 PM swimming lessons. And excercise classes would be great for the older people
8 I work in aged care, and need hydrotherapy badly. 5/15/2014 12:08 PM
9 Love the beach but often swim with seaweed,stingers,etc. 5/9/2014 3:34 PM
10 we have the beach or geradton but one in dongra would be awaome 5/7/2014 4:33 PM
11 Too expensive to use 5/6/2014 7:12 PM
12 The beach is great but difficult with toddlers and babies to teach how to swim 5/2/2014 11:22 PM
13 65kilometres is too far to go regularly to Geraldton 5/1/2014 7:07 PM
14 Beach is best 4/30/2014 4:00 PM
15 aaquatic facilities in Irwin would be greatly appreciated by many. I have a 18 month old who i would like to take to swimming 4/30/2014 9:33 AM lessons soon however it is too far to travel to geraldton.
16 hate driving to Gero 4/29/2014 5:59 PM
17 We only have the beach! 4/29/2014 4:58 PM
18 I'm scared, like petrified of sharks so will not swim at the beach! 4/29/2014 4:45 PM
19 Dongara needs a pool! 4/29/2014 4:28 PM
20 We need a pool in the town!! 4/29/2014 3:31 PM
21 I would swim al year round in a Dongara based pool 4/29/2014 3:17 PM
22 Hate the beach 4/29/2014 2:38 PM
23 the beach is fabulous dont get me wrong and we are down there alot but with dongara being so windy alot of the summer months 4/29/2014 1:50 PM its too windy and the winter months too cold
24 I would definitely use a lap pool regularly, all year round if heated 4/22/2014 4:33 PM
25 need to be closer to home 4/17/2014 12:44 PM
26 The distance is a deterrent 4/15/2014 3:22 PM
12 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
27 It would be great to see a pool in Dongara for all ages 4/15/2014 3:20 PM
13 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Q10 Aquatic facilities can be costly to build and operate on an ongoing basis. In taking in to consideration the Shire's sea side location, proximity to Geraldton, and the sport and recreation facilities and services that the Shire is currently able to provide, please select a statement that best reflects your view on the importance of each of the different types of aquatic facilities.
Answered: 140 Skipped: 21
Outdoor lap pool (seasonal)
Indoor lap pool
Hydrotherapy pool (indoor)
Warm water program pool...
Outdoor leisure pool...
Indoor leisure pool
14 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Ocean pool (for lap...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Unnecessary
Desirable (Develop this option if ongoing financial impact to the Shire is minimal)
Important (Develop this option even if the ongoing financial impact to the Shire is modera...
Very Important (Develop this option even if the ongoing financial impact to the Shire is m...
Unnecessary Desirable (Dev elop this option Important (Dev elop this option ev en if Very Important (Dev elop this option Total if ongoing financial impact to the ongoing financial impact to the ev en if the ongoing financial impact to Respondents the Shire is minimal) Shire is moderate or less) the Shire is major or less)
Outdoor lap pool 46.43% 26.43% 12.86% 17.14% (seasonal) 65 37 18 24 140
Indoor lap pool 27.86% 20.00% 27.86% 25.00% 39 28 39 35 140
Hydrotherapy pool 15.71% 20.71% 25.71% 38.57% (indoor) 22 29 36 54 140
Warm water 24.29% 20.00% 27.14% 28.57% program pool 34 28 38 40 140 (indoor)
Outdoor leisure 47.14% 25.71% 12.14% 15.00% pool (seasonal) 66 36 17 21 140
Indoor leisure pool 32.86% 27.86% 17.86% 21.43% 46 39 25 30 140
Ocean pool (for 40.71% 30.71% 14.29% 14.29% lap swimming and 57 43 20 20 140 recreational use)
# If you hav e identified any facilities as "Very Important" please describe why this is so. Date
1 An ocean pool require alot more work than what one thinks. An ocean pool defeats the purpose of asking whether we need a pool 6/4/2014 10:22 PM or not? Roped off area and shark nets in the summer at Grannies would solve the need for an ocean pool.
2 Groups like building better bones would use it for aquatic fitness instead of driving to Geraldton 6/4/2014 10:11 PM
3 Why dig a hole in the earth when we have an ocean? 5/29/2014 10:54 PM
4 Important for older citizens to have facilities available locally 5/29/2014 10:43 PM
5 there are an increasing amount of elderley thats may want to swim but fear the ocean or not feel safe. Swimming in a pool is a 5/17/2014 9:35 AM different type of swimming. i know peoplr that have swam fro the state that dont like the sea. akso eiththe fear of shark attacks. and it will be goodfor sports too. water polo..water aerobics. and great therapy or disabled people too.
6 my views are mainly for the elderly residents who would benefit. 5/16/2014 12:55 AM
7 We do have a need for a safe swimming area for the kids to learn to swim, and for people to enjoy doing laps. The Ocean Pool 5/15/2014 6:13 PM will be appropriate for both of these needs as well as be a tourist drawcard for the town. Win Win.
8 We have many older people that like to utilise the facility at Geraldton, but have difficulty accessing it. 5/15/2014 3:46 PM
9 Indoor lap pool would be great for keeping fit and training also being indoor u can use it all year round protects u from the 5/15/2014 3:35 PM elements, hydrotherapy pool great for the elderly, indoor leisure pool I think would get used all year round great fun for the kids let's face it gero can get fairly packed and a long drive
10 Many people in the community would benefit for health reasons as well as recreational 5/15/2014 3:30 PM
11 a leisure pool would benefit everyone. people who want to do laps, excrise classes, swimming lessons and fun for the kids and 5/15/2014 3:27 PM adults alike
12 we need an indoor hydro and lap pool for our children to learn how to swim, our elderly need daily non weight bearing exercises 5/15/2014 12:15 PM in a hydro, also many many people in this town need hydro therapy after major surgery. Recreation swimming for families are also safer than the ocean.
13 Health benefits for all age groups within community 5/10/2014 5:54 PM
14 I use the beach but would deffinately use an indoor pool 5 days a week during winter. For the health and welbeing of our aging 5/9/2014 3:39 PM population an indoor pool is vital.
15 our childen need all the sports recreation opitunities we can give them if it is closer then it is a better option and they will get 5/7/2014 4:36 PM more chances to shine
16 as an elderly person I have ongoing need for hydrotherapy . 5/7/2014 8:51 AM
17 would be great for fitness snd my kids 5/7/2014 5:41 AM
15 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
18 This community needs a pool....for young children who learn to swim in a warm pool...the cost of petrol and time to go to 5/6/2014 9:48 PM Geraldtin is too much. Aquatic sports and excercise for all ages. A lot of the elderly who currently use nuns pool for their exercise would possibly appreciate a warmer place to swim. Also School swimming carnivals....We could hold here the Interschool carnivals...bring more people to our community. Does that not help with the finances? Of course fees would be charged for all use of the facilties....including perhaps hire for youth events...etc? With the community's growing population, I would see this as a long term investment rather than an expense.
19 I think all people, adults and children, should be able to access aquatic facilities all year round- for leisure, lessons, training, and 5/6/2014 5:23 PM physio
20 Outside of harbour 5/2/2014 9:51 AM
21 Hydrotherapy and exercise needs warm water for the benefit of muscle relief. 5/1/2014 7:09 PM
22 Elderly 4/30/2014 10:22 PM
23 my son loves the water but it is too cold in the winter so a warm water program would encourage all year round participation. and 4/30/2014 9:36 AM the indoor leisure pool is a great way to get kids used to water and to have someone independence in the water also.
24 growing town , cant use beach year round, outlet for local kids, aging population for fitness and therapy, tourist attraction, limited 4/29/2014 6:18 PM beach space for locals and tourists, limited space and limited by weather for swimming lessons, growth of the town is ever increasing,
25 I have small children who I would like to learn to swim and it is almost impossible to take both to geraldton for swimming lessons 4/29/2014 5:01 PM without family to help, an indoor heated pool would be very useful!!
26 We need a pool that can used all year and all ages and all needs, the elderly need hydrotherapy aswell as sport fanatics for 4/29/2014 4:48 PM rehab, I need it for arthritis!
27 Hydrotherapy pool for our oldies! 4/29/2014 4:30 PM
28 its important to teach your kids to be safe in the water but not everyone likes the beach. especially not for littler ones with waves 4/29/2014 4:16 PM etc.
29 Dongara needs a pool..!!! 4/29/2014 3:34 PM
30 I think given the demoghraphics and aged population an indoor heated pool would be most beneficial to the Shire of Irwin. I miss 4/29/2014 3:20 PM lap swimming in my life.
31 Swim without windy conditions 4/29/2014 3:04 PM
32 so my children as learn to swim safely 4/29/2014 2:28 PM
33 we have a large elderly population and a large number of children, a hydro pool for rehab/low impact exercise/baby&toddler 4/29/2014 1:54 PM swimming lessons. a year round indoor lap pool for swimmers of all ages and abilities/swimming lessons
34 More for the elderly & children with disabilaties would help them alot 4/29/2014 1:30 PM
35 Benefits for the aging population 4/29/2014 1:24 PM
36 As a kid growing up in Dongara ( a seaside town ) the morjority were far behind in swimming capabilities than the kids inland. 4/29/2014 1:22 PM Pools promote better swimming lesson for the kids!
37 There are currently no options for winter and no facilities suitable for the large older population to do exercise or recovery from 4/22/2014 4:36 PM hip/knee replacements etc. which is so important for their recovery.
38 It will be safe to swim in an ocean pool, because of sharks, currents and waves, and the ocean pool will complement the forshore 4/17/2014 3:47 PM area for tourism.
39 to enable people with disabilities to take part in therapy 4/17/2014 12:46 PM
40 I think this could make a landmark of our town like our drive in cinema. Internationally tourists hear a lot about shark attacks in 4/15/2014 11:17 PM Australia and this could make Dongara an attractive destination for ocean swimming which we take for granted
41 We need our own swimming facility for fitness, training, school competition and the heated pool separate for physio which we 4/15/2014 3:27 PM have a lot of injuries and knee opps etc, and the distance to go for training for children in Geraldton is too far when you go a few times a week.
42 An indoor heated pool and hydrotherapy pool will be used 12 months if the year 4/11/2014 9:50 PM
43 i think we need this sort of facility 4/8/2014 2:29 PM
44 For the health benefits of all ages! 4/7/2014 9:56 AM
45 hydrotherapy pool provides great benifits to those with functoinal limitations and can be used for baby lessons 4/4/2014 1:51 PM
16 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Q11 Are you a rate payer?
Answered: 140 Skipped: 21
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
Yes 80.71% 113
No 19.29% 27
Total 140
17 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Q12 What is the maximum amount you would be prepared to pay in additional annual rates to fund the construction and ongoing operation of new aquatic facilities that you would like to see in the Shire of Irwin?
Answered: 112 Skipped: 49
0
$25
$50
$75
$100
$125
$150
$175
$200
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
0 10.71% 12
$25 8.93% 10
$50 15.18% 17
$75 4.46% 5
$100 35.71% 40
$125 2.68% 3
$150 6.25% 7
$175 0.89% 1
$200 15.18% 17
Total 112
# Comments Date
1 As long as area is well organised and affordable 5/29/2014 10:43 PM
2 This question is irrelivant, do your sums... With our population growth, rates should cover costs! 5/9/2014 3:42 PM
3 Please don't do it. They are a money pit and the chemicals are toxic. We already pay $100/month for rates! 5/6/2014 7:16 PM
4 The Shire should stop funding alcohol for Friday drinks to employees andput that money towards this venture. 4/29/2014 3:21 PM
18 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Q13 What is the maximum amount you would be prepared to pay per entry for:
Answered: 109 Skipped: 52
Adult
An Indoor Aquatic Cent...
An Indoor Hydrotherapy...
An Outdoor Aquatic Cent...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
$0 $1 $2 $3 $4 $5 $6 $7 $8
$9 $10
19 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Concession (children, pensioners etc)
An Indoor Aquatic Cent...
An Indoor Hydrotherapy...
An Outdoor Aquatic Cent...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
$0 $1 $2 $3 $4 $5 $6 $7 $8
$9 $10
Adult
$0 $1 $2 $3 $4 $5 $6 $7 $8 $9 $10 Total
An Indoor Aquatic Centre (Lap Pool and 14.68% 0.00% 0.92% 4.59% 7.34% 33.03% 11.01% 4.59% 13.76% 0.00% 10.09% Leisure/Program Pool) 16 0 1 5 8 36 12 5 15 0 11 109
An Indoor Hydrotherapy Pool 11.93% 0.00% 0.92% 3.67% 5.50% 33.03% 7.34% 2.75% 12.84% 0.92% 21.10% 13 0 1 4 6 36 8 3 14 1 23 109
An Outdoor Aquatic Centre (Lap Pool and 19.27% 0.92% 6.42% 11.01% 9.17% 29.36% 8.26% 2.75% 6.42% 0.92% 5.50% Leisure/Program Pool) 21 1 7 12 10 32 9 3 7 1 6 109
Concession (children, pensioners etc)
20 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
$0 $1 $2 $3 $4 $5 $6 $7 $8 $9 $10 Total
An Indoor Aquatic Centre (Lap Pool and 11.01% 0.92% 19.27% 25.69% 21.10% 19.27% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 2.75% Leisure/Program Pool) 12 1 21 28 23 21 0 0 0 0 3 109
An Indoor Hydrotherapy Pool 12.84% 0.92% 16.51% 19.27% 15.60% 25.69% 5.50% 0.92% 0.92% 0.00% 1.83% 14 1 18 21 17 28 6 1 1 0 2 109
An Outdoor Aquatic Centre (Lap Pool and 15.60% 9.17% 21.10% 27.52% 11.01% 14.68% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.92% Leisure/Program Pool) 17 10 23 30 12 16 0 0 0 0 1 109
# Comments Date
1 A combined yearly fee with the local gym facilities would be a great idea 6/4/2014 10:24 PM
2 Geraldton Concession rate is $2 and not only for rate payers 5/29/2014 10:47 PM
3 if the facilities are clean and kept up to good standard then people dont mind paying. people do mind paying gor domething that 5/17/2014 9:40 AM isnt kept up.
4 If 'Outdoor Aquatic Centre' = Ocean Pool. If its a whole in the ground then $0. 5/15/2014 6:16 PM
5 If you do build it, make it free for ratepayers and renters, visitors from other shires could pay an entry fee. But it would be money 5/6/2014 7:19 PM better spent on other projects so please DONT DO IT.
6 My interest is only in hydrotherapy - we have beaches for everything else. 5/1/2014 7:12 PM
7 Seasonal family passes would be great 4/29/2014 2:24 PM
8 A indoor pool I would expect the pay at least $15 Per adult 4/29/2014 2:02 PM
21 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Q14 How often would you make use of the following facilities if they were provided in the Shire of Irwin?
Answered: 132 Skipped: 29
Outdoor lap pool (seasonal)
Indoor lap pool
Hydrotherapy pool (indoor)
Warm water program pool...
22 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Outdoor leisure pool...
Indoor leisure pool
Ocean pool (for lap...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Never 1-5 times per year 6-10 times per year 11-25 times per year
26-50 times per year 51-100 times per year 101+ times per year
Nev er 1-5 times 6-10 times 11-25 times 26-50 times 51-100 times 101+ times Total per year per year per year per year per year per year Respondents
Outdoor lap pool (seasonal) 30.30% 9.09% 11.36% 12.88% 18.18% 7.58% 10.61% 40 12 15 17 24 10 14 132
Indoor lap pool 18.94% 7.58% 3.79% 9.09% 25.76% 16.67% 18.18% 25 10 5 12 34 22 24 132
Hydrotherapy pool (indoor) 28.03% 9.85% 13.64% 8.33% 23.48% 12.12% 6.06% 37 13 18 11 31 16 8 132
Warm water program pool (indoor) 22.73% 3.79% 3.03% 12.12% 24.24% 21.21% 13.64% 23 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey Warm water program pool (indoor) 22.73% 3.79% 3.03% 12.12% 24.24% 21.21% 13.64% 30 5 4 16 32 28 18 132
Outdoor leisure pool (seasonal) 25.00% 14.39% 8.33% 15.15% 20.45% 9.85% 7.58% 33 19 11 20 27 13 10 132
Indoor leisure pool 18.94% 6.82% 6.06% 13.64% 26.52% 15.15% 12.88% 25 9 8 18 35 20 17 132
Ocean pool (for lap swimming and 31.06% 15.15% 8.33% 9.85% 14.39% 13.64% 9.09% recreational use) 41 20 11 13 19 18 12 132
# Comments Date
1 With an aging population l think a hydro pool would be used alot 6/4/2014 10:38 PM
2 Indoor leisure pool would need to be heated from March - November 6/4/2014 10:26 PM
3 Arthritis stops me swimming outdoors but i swam 5 times per week until I came to Irwin. 5/29/2014 10:49 PM
4 also be great for kids...from school to do swiming lessons..and competitions.. 5/17/2014 9:42 AM
5 I would use the hydrotherapy pool for rehab of sports injuries (but hopefully I wont need it!!) 5/15/2014 6:17 PM
6 have grown up near an ocean pool before, it was hardly ever used as it was either dirty, algae, or too cold. 5/15/2014 12:19 PM
7 Maybe... 5/6/2014 7:20 PM
8 Indoor pool needs to be heated 5/2/2014 11:27 PM
9 Would use hydrotherapy pool if I needed to for rehab. 4/29/2014 9:51 PM
10 I have young children so that would be a 3/4 person payment 4/29/2014 1:58 PM
11 I'm sure the indoor pool would be more desirable with more options available all year round. 4/15/2014 3:34 PM
24 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Q15 If a bus service was made available for trips to the Geraldton Aquarena, how often might you make use of it?
Answered: 132 Skipped: 29
Nev er
Occasionally
Regularly
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Answer Choices Responses
Never 75.00% 99
Occasionally 16.67% 22
Regularly 8.33% 11
Total 132
# Comments Date
1 Only if for a health treatment 6/4/2014 10:38 PM
2 Doesn't fit in with family life. How would you offer this to the working members of the community and school students. Bus travel is 6/4/2014 10:27 PM already expensive due to insurance
3 If it fits in with work schedule 5/29/2014 11:27 PM
4 Never use bus while I can drive. Hate the bus as it is impossible to get on and off. 5/29/2014 10:49 PM
5 if your on a tight time line.. 1hr to Geraldton then swim shower dress..1.5 hrs 1hr return journey..3 1/2 ... out of a day. where as 5/17/2014 9:45 AM locally alot easier..
6 Hate gero 5/15/2014 3:32 PM
7 Work committments permitting 5/6/2014 9:30 PM
8 Very good idea! 5/6/2014 7:20 PM
9 I have two small children that need car seats 5/2/2014 11:27 PM
10 This option will consume time (1.5 to 2 hours travel) 5/2/2014 9:53 AM
11 1hr swim time will turn into 3hrs all round and depending times with other kids and activities will be hard 4/29/2014 11:57 PM
12 My children still need car seat restraints 4/29/2014 8:07 PM
13 more practical to drive and not have time restrictions 4/29/2014 7:30 PM
14 Because I work full time so I doubt they would go at times i need 4/29/2014 4:22 PM
15 i have 2 small children. bus is no practical 4/29/2014 2:31 PM
16 Would cost more for bus & then what you pay to use the pool 4/29/2014 1:31 PM
17 I work full time so I don't have the time to travel to Geraldton to partake in this activity 4/22/2014 4:38 PM
18 The bus would need wheelchair access for me to be able to participate 4/17/2014 12:48 PM
19 at this stage in my life , but that could change easily 4/15/2014 11:20 PM
20 I have a car to use at my leisure I would shop and use pool so bus not good for me and kids would go after school hours then 4/15/2014 3:37 PM come home about 6 pm
25 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
Q16 Do you have any further comments you'd like to add?
Answered: 45 Skipped: 116
# Responses Date
1 We need a pool. Not a huge 50m. A decent 25m and good size which would be okay. We definitely need a hydro pool for physio. 6/4/2014 10:30 PM We also need to offer more to the community as not everyone uses the gym or plays competitive sport. Diversity is what we need. Also to listen to what the local community has been asked now for such a long time. We need a pool!
2 Any pool to be an ocean pool subject to costs 6/4/2014 10:03 PM
3 Make do with what we've got! 5/29/2014 10:56 PM
4 As with the Recreation Centre will need good public relations and encouragement to use the facility. Excellent to ensure children 5/29/2014 10:51 PM learn water safety in a good supportive environment.
5 I learnt to swim in a swiming pool..a safe and controlled environment.which gave me confidence to swim in the sea. Easier to 5/17/2014 9:49 AM learn basics of swimming n and environment where dont have to the deal with the forces of nature.i then when I came to Dongara that then taught me a different type of swimming in the ocean..which was great..for some children and even adults..the sea can be a frightening place and could be missing out on so much.
6 I would prefer to use a pool in dongara than geraldton if one was made available. My kids would swim more often and a 5/16/2014 3:12 PM swimming club could be formed. Swimming lesson could be offered year round which could increase the surf club members number. Swimming is very good for people with some medical conditions. There are many young people with their bronze medallion who could work at such a facility. Overall I think the benefits out way the costs.
7 Keeping our elderly & physically challenged residents in mind as well as our children having our own aquatic centre would be 5/16/2014 1:02 AM very beneficial to our community.
8 If smaller inland shires can afford a pool why can't the Irwin shire afford one 5/15/2014 7:40 PM
9 Shire gets lots of tourists and weekenders all year round not everyone enjoys the beach I just think it would be money well spent I 5/15/2014 3:41 PM certainly would use it all year round
10 this is a booming town. We have many residents and tourists. if tiny places like morowa can have a pool why don't we have one. 5/15/2014 3:30 PM we have a huge rec center that barely gets used. if there was a pool in it or associated with it the place would have people constantly in it. charge people for admission, for lockers, café amenities and classes....it will pay itself off
11 In this town i work in aged care, I have also worked as a swimming instructor, and I am a member of our local surf life saving club. 5/15/2014 12:23 PM I so strongly advise our shire we desperately need an indoor aquatic facility for health benefits.
12 The benefits that a facility like this could make to any community would be priceless and definitely be a step in the right direction 5/10/2014 6:05 PM for Irwin!!
13 swimming is beneficial for people of all ages and particularly for the elderly and disabled when they are unable to participate in 5/7/2014 9:02 AM other forms of exercise
14 While I would like an all year round facility and some form of lap type pool or hydrotherapy for exercise, I would not want the shire 5/6/2014 9:32 PM to go into debt and then find the facility was under used. Also Dongara has beautiful beaches and most people should and can make use of them.
15 Please give us an outdoor leisure pool for kids swimming lessons and recreation purposes 5/6/2014 8:40 PM
16 Can't afford the rate hike, I'm a pensioner. Please, please, please don't do it 5/6/2014 7:22 PM
17 We should have a poop 5/6/2014 5:29 PM
18 Approximately 34% of our Shire population is aged and I'm sure you'll get lots of 'yes for hydrotherapy facilities' votes, me, too. 5/1/2014 7:14 PM
19 The need is for an outdoor lap and leisure pool and hydro therapy pool. this provides options not already provided by the beach. 5/1/2014 8:51 AM better suits all ages of the community. Also can be heated and covered as the community grows. An ocean pool, like the beach, just another place to swim on a hot day. Ocean pool also expensive to maintain.
20 Aquatic centers can be very costly to maintain and operate, the rec centre battles to support its costs how can we as a small town 4/30/2014 4:04 PM of aging population justify an indoor or outdoor pool. it will just end up being a place for youth to hang when the wind is up.
21 It meant need to be huge just a leisure pool with heated water for rhetorically kiddie and a lap.pool for exercise and hydrotherapy 4/30/2014 9:42 AM for relaxation after exercise!
22 A safe pool that could be used all through the year would be an asset to the community and town for a whole host of leisure, 4/29/2014 9:54 PM fitness and educational activities.
23 Swimming lessons for all the kids aged 6 months and upwards would be a great asset to Dongara if we could do this locally 4/29/2014 8:08 PM instead of travelling to geraldton.
24 I used to do water aerobics but since moving to dongara 10 years ago have not done it due to family/work/costs involved in 4/29/2014 4:53 PM travelling to geraldton, I would definitely attend water aerobics if we had a heated pool here.
25 May as well use what we got THE BEACH 4/29/2014 4:36 PM
26 If the small country towns such as perenjori, three springs and mingenew can afford successful aquatic facilities, I dont see why 4/29/2014 4:19 PM the irwin shire cannot. Especially with our summer tourist season. It doesnt need to be some super fancy olympic pool. Just meet the needs of the people and it will pay for itself
27 Thanks for the opportunity to have a say. 4/29/2014 3:24 PM
28 Building a pool in Dongara is a given. As time has proved in the past it will be more cost effective to build it now than in 5 or 10 4/29/2014 2:29 PM years. The town wants it.just do it and do it right.
29 A winter swimming alternative is more beneficial than a seasonal ocean pool 4/29/2014 2:26 PM
30 I think a out door ocean rock pool may b a great idea! Kingscote kangaroo island south Australia has one maybe check it out!!! 4/29/2014 2:04 PM
31 Pools never make money - unfortunately but surely the health, fitness and happiness of the Shire of Irwins population count for 4/29/2014 2:01 PM something and the shire can budget yearly for it??? Please. ...
32 Having an Indoor Recreational Pool would benefit the community, Young children could have swimming lessons to bring in an 4/28/2014 11:20 PM income. Teenagers would use the facilities, also could have activities such as parties and discos at the venue to being in revenue. Also the elderly would benefit with the exercise, and lastly create an activity and health benefit for the disabled.
26 / 27 Irwin Aquatic Facilities Needs Analysis: Individual Survey
33 With a good number of the community being elderly or having physical issues it can be hard for the beach to be utilized. A pool 4/27/2014 10:28 PM in town could provide physical activity for all ages, people who have undergone surgery can have a safe environment for rehabilitation, people could get involved in competitive swimming and water polo and the aquatic facility could provide a meeting place for people to socialize while participating in physical activity. Also with the increase in shark sightings in our oceans a lot of people are afraid or put off to frequent the beaches anymore, so a pool would provide a safe environment to enjoy.
34 previous community based surveys have shown an overwhelming desire for non seawater pool at the rec. centre. We have an 4/17/2014 7:41 PM increasing need for a hydrotherapy pool.
35 Build a pool of some sort 4/17/2014 3:51 PM
36 We are well serviced with medical facilities and HACC services but a therapy pool would assist those people who have disabilities 4/17/2014 12:51 PM and aging problems. A bus with wheelchair access would certainly be an alternative.
37 dongara now has more older people and the fitness is more important to one health as we age 4/16/2014 8:24 PM
38 I would love to see an ocean pool here in Dongara, but as I get older indoor pool or hydro pool would be a lot more appealing 4/15/2014 11:25 PM
39 If we had our own pool we could have our own school swimming carnivals here which all children can train for prior to 4/15/2014 3:50 PM event.Swimming laps, physio, swimming lessons and squad swimming training, aerobics, water polo, fun activities , I know my family would use a lap pool frequently. I think the town needs a good 6 lanes to make it usable for multiple events. 50 metres would be preferable. My children have done training for strike force in Geraldton for a few years but the distance is tiring for all and given it up. We would love and use a full sized pool in Dongara
40 A pool is a luxury not a necessity and cannot be adequately maintained by a small community like this. A base population of at 4/15/2014 10:06 AM least 60 000 is required for it to become feasible. The ocean is on our door step, it comes for free and has many other health benefits.
41 Given the close proximity to Geraldton and their current aquatic facilities on offer, I find it hard to support anything resembling 4/14/2014 6:13 PM the scale of this facility which incurs significant cost to ratepayers. I believe if an option is to be pursued, it is to be something of an indoor nature with facilities catering the needs of the elderly as well as providing an area for fitness type activities (water aerobics, hydrotherapy, sports recovery etc). I think it would be a waste of ratepayers money to construct anything that is exposed to the elements given the level of safety and beauty associated with current beaches and swimming areas. If such as facility was to ever be built, I see it best located at the existing Recreation Centre, as this allows for the facility to become an even greater asset than what it is now. This location would also allow less pressure on recruitment processes due to utilisation of existing staff and also utilising existing services and Shire land.
42 An ideal aquatic centre should be incorporated with the current recreation facilities. With the overall management incorporated 4/11/2014 10:06 PM into the aquatic centre. A hydrotherapy pool a paddling pool and a 25mtr by 10 lane heated pool being all on my wish list.
43 The Shire and Ratepayers cannot afford these sort of facilities. 4/8/2014 2:17 PM
44 I don't think we need a indoor outdoor pool. A ocean pool may be a good idea, but not totally sold on the idea, hydro pool is 4/7/2014 3:44 PM something I think would be beneficial for the whole community, but if its going to cost the rate payers a huge amount, not sure I would like one, when we have all of these facilities in Gero.
45 Not only would a swimming pool complex benefit Dongara, it would also benefit other near communities such as Mingenew who 4/7/2014 10:00 AM themselves do not have such a facility. It would also allow Dongara to host swimming carnivals for schools, thus gaining financial input to the town and the complex.
27 / 27
APPENDIX 3 PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS
Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study Appendix 3. Public Submissions
APPENDIX 4 CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATE REPORT
Shire of Irwin Aquatic Facilities Feasibility Study Appendix 4. Construction Cost Estimate Report Shire of Irwin
Proposed Aquatic Development at
Richardson Road Port Denison
Concept Cost Indication
Options 1, 2, 3 & 4
14th August 2014
Leisure Consultant: A Balanced View (ABV)
Neil Butler Quantity Surveying Services T: 08 9349 7853 M: 0457 977 407 ABN: 730 320 19210 Shire Of Irwin - Aquatic Centre Development Concept Cost Indication Richardson Road, Port Denison 14 August 2014
SUMMARY
Cost Summary
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Option 4
New 10m x 6m New 25m x 6 Enclose 25m New 25m x 6 Hydrotherapy lane Outdoor x 6 lane pool lane Ocean Pool Pool Pool
Cost Cost Cost Cost Demolition $ 25,000 $ 10,000 $ 5,000 $ 25,000 New 10m x 6m Hydrotherapy Pool $ 291,500 $ - $ - $ - Hydrotherapy Building $ 470,000 $ - $ - $ - Changerooms $ - $ 428,100 $ - $ - Existing Recreation Centre Office and Lobby $ 108,000 $ 20,000 $ 20,000 $ - New 25m x 6 lane Outdoor Pool $ - $ 1,427,750 $ 100,000 $ 1,205,350 Enclose 25m x 6 lane pool $ - $ - $ 2,963,375 $ - External Services $ 145,000 $ 160,000 $ 50,000 $ 95,000 External Works $ 23,500 $ 522,500 $ 30,000 $ 50,000 Builder's Preliminaries $ 124,740 $ 308,202 $ 316,838 $ 137,535 Total Construction Cost $ 1,187,740 $ 2,876,552 $ 3,485,213 $ 1,512,885 Contingencies $ 216,763 $ 524,971 $ 636,051 $ 400,915 Furniture and Fittings $ 20,000 $ 25,000 $ 20,000 $ 27,000 Professional Fees $ 142,450 $ 342,652 $ 414,126 $ 291,120 Escalation $ - $ - $ - $ - Regional Allowance $ 170,940 $ 411,183 $ 496,952 $ 232,896 TOTAL ESTIMATED COMMITMENT (Port $ 1,737,893 $ 4,180,358 $ 5,052,342 $ 2,464,815 Denison) GST $ 173,789 $ 418,036 $ 505,234 $ 246,482 TOTAL ESTIMATED COMMITMENT (Incl GST) $ 1,911,682 $ 4,598,394 $ 5,557,576 $ 2,711,297
EXCLUSIONS:
The following items have been specifically excluded from this Cost Indication:-
Works to existing recreation centre other than allowances for connections between new and existing buildings Works to existing car park areas Upgrade of incoming services if insufficient to meet new demands Holding and Finance charges Legal costs Escalation beyond August 2014 (Construction dates unknown)( Current escalation allowance 4% per annum) Public Art
NOTES:
Please note that this information is for indicative budgeting purposes only and should not be used as the basis for making a financial commitment
Prior to making a financial commitment a detailed budget should be prepared based on input from the architect and the relevant consultants
Neil Butler Quantity Surveying Services Page: 2 of 15 14.11 - SoI - Pool Shire Of Irwin - Aquatic Centre Development Concept Cost Indication Richardson Road, Port Denison 14 August 2014
Stage 1 - New 10m x 6m Hydrotherapy Pool
Drawings
This Concept Cost Indication has been based on 1:1000Shire of Irwin Pool Outline Plan
Concept Cost Plan
Item Description Unit Quantity Rate Amount
1.0 Demolition & Site Clearance
1.01 Dismantle and relocate existing playground Item $ 20,000 1.03 Clear site of existing paving, playground sand & walls etc and leave ready for new pool development Item $ 5,000
Sub-total for Demolition & Site Clearance $ 25,000
2.0 New 10m x 6m Hydrotherapy pool
2.01 10 metre x 6m pool including steps - Shell only Item $ 108,000 2.02 Filtration system including pumps, filters, pool hydraulics, plantroom hydraulics etc Item $ 120,000 2.03 Solar Pool heating including changerooms Item $ 33,000 2.04 Pool blanket including storage rollers (manual operation) Item $ 10,500 2.05 Pool Hoist $ 10,000 2.06 Adult change table $ 10,000
Sub-total for New 10m x 6m Hydrotherapy Pool $ 291,500
3.0 New Building
3.01 Pool Enclosure m2 160 $ 2,400 $ 384,000 3.02 Hydrotherapy Change room (No. 2) m2 14 $ 3,500 $ 49,000 3.03 Pool Plant Room m2 17 $ 1,500 $ 25,500 3.04 New concourse paving m2 100 $ 100 $ 10,000 3.05 New concourse drainage Item $ 1,500
Sub-total for New Building $ 470,000
Neil Butler Quantity Surveying Services Page: 3 of 15 14.11 - SoI - Pool Shire Of Irwin - Aquatic Centre Development Concept Cost Indication Richardson Road, Port Denison 14 August 2014
Concept Cost Plan
Item Description Unit Quantity Rate Amount
4.0 Existing Recreation Centre Office and Lobby
4.01 The full extent of the refurbishment and extension has not been determined Note
4.02 Allowance for modifications and extension of existing office and lobby m2 60 $ 1,800 $ 108,000
Sub-total for Existing Recreation Centre Office and Lobby $ 108,000
5.0 External Services
5.01 Allowance for stormwater disposal Item $ 25,000 5.02 Allowance for external sewage services Item $ 50,000 5.03 Allowance for external water services Item $ 20,000 5.04 Allowance for external electrical services Item $ 25,000 5.05 Allowance for relocation of services ( extent unknown) Item $ 25,000
Sub-total for External Services $ 145,000
6.0 External Works
6.01 Allowance for paving m2 100 $ 85 $ 8,500 6.02 Allowance for landscaping Item $ 15,000
Sub-total for External Works $ 23,500 7.0 Builder's Preliminaries
7.01 Builder's Preliminaries Item 12% $ 124,740
Sub-total for Builder's Preliminaries $ 124,740
Total Construction Costs $ 1,187,740
8.0 CONTINGENCIES
8.01 Allowance for design contingencies Item 10.0% $ 118,774 8.02 Allowance for contract contingencies Item 7.5% $ 97,989
Sub-total for Contingencies $ 216,763
9.0 FURNITURE AND FITTINGS
9.01 Allowance for furniture around pool and reception area Item $ 20,000
Sub-total for Furniture and Fittings $ 20,000
Neil Butler Quantity Surveying Services Page: 4 of 15 14.11 - SoI - Pool Shire Of Irwin - Aquatic Centre Development Concept Cost Indication Richardson Road, Port Denison 14 August 2014
Concept Cost Plan
Item Description Unit Quantity Rate Amount 10.0 PROFESSIONAL FEES
10.01 Allowance for professional fees Item 10% $ 142,450
Sub-total for Professional Fees $ 142,450
11.0 ESCALATION
11.01 Allowance for escalation in costs has not been included Item 0% $ -
Sub-total for Escalation $ -
12.0 REGIONAL ALLOWANCE
12.01 Regional allowance for Port Denison (excludes Fees) Item 12% $ 170,940
Sub-total for Regional Allowance $ 170,940
TOTAL ESTIMATED COMMITMENT (Port Denison) $ 1,737,893
Goods & Services Tax (10%) $ 173,789
TOTAL ESTIMATED COMMITMENT (Including GST) $ 1,911,682
Neil Butler Quantity Surveying Services Page: 5 of 15 14.11 - SoI - Pool Shire Of Irwin - Aquatic Centre Development Concept Cost Indication Richardson Road, Port Denison 14 August 2014
Stage 2 - 25m x 6 Lane Outdoor Pool
Drawings
This Concept Cost Indication has been based on 1:1000Shire of Irwin Pool Outline Plan
Concept Cost Plan
Item Description Unit Quantity Rate Amount
1.0 Demolition & Site Clearance
1.01 Clear site of existing paving, carparking area, landscaping etc Item $ 10,000
Sub-total for Demolition & Site Clearance $ 10,000
2.0 New 25m x 6 lane pool (Lane width 2.5m)(Total Water Area = 475m2)
2.01 25 metre x 6 lane pool including toddler/leisure area Item $ 570,000 2.02 Filtration system including pumps, filters, pool hydraulics, plantroom hydraulics etc Item $ 475,000 2.03 Solar Pool heating including changerooms Item $ 261,250 2.04 Removable diving blocks No 6 $ 1,000 $ 6,000 2.05 Lane rope anchor cast into wall of pool No 10 $ 350 $ 3,500 2.06 Pool blanket including storage rollers (manual operation) Item $ 57,000 2.07 Allowance for lane ropes etc Item $ 30,000 2.08 Allowance for water features Item $ 25,000
Sub-total for New 25m x 6 lane Pool $ 1,427,750
Neil Butler Quantity Surveying Services Page: 6 of 15 14.11 - SoI - Pool Shire Of Irwin - Aquatic Centre Development Concept Cost Indication Richardson Road, Port Denison 14 August 2014
Concept Cost Plan
Item Description Unit Quantity Rate Amount
3.0 New Building
3.01 Changerooms (No. 2) m2 105 $ 3,000 $ 315,000 3.02 Disabled Change Room m2 7 $ 3,500 $ 24,500 3.03 First Aid m2 13 $ 2,200 $ 28,600 3.04 Store Room m2 25 $ 1,200 $ 30,000 3.05 Pool Plant Room m2 20 $ 1,500 $ 30,000
Sub-total for New Building $ 428,100
4.0 Existing Recreation Centre Office and Lobby
4.01 The full extent of the refurbishment and extension has not been determined Note
4.02 Allowance for modifications and connection of new changerooms to existing reception Item $ 20,000
Sub-total for Existing Recreation Centre Office and Lobby $ 20,000
5.0 External Services
5.01 Allowance for stormwater disposal Item $ 25,000 5.02 Allowance for external sewage services Item $ 20,000 5.03 Allowance for external water services Item $ 10,000 5.04 Allowance for external electrical services Item $ 25,000 5.05 Allowance for external pool lighting Item $ 30,000 5.05 Allowance for relocation of services ( extent unknown) Item $ 50,000
Sub-total for External Services $ 160,000
6.0 External Works
6.01 Concourse paving, landscaping and fencing has been based on a total site area of 2500m2 for Stage 1 and Stage 2 Note
6.02 New concourse paving m2 850 $ 100 $ 85,000 6.03 Concourse drainage Item $ 12,750 6.04 Allowance for built in BBQ No 2 $ 8,000 $ 16,000 6.06 Spectator shade area including support columns and footings to perimeter fencing m2 650 $ 150 $ 97,500 6.07 Palisade boundary fencing including wind barrier m 80 $ 450 $ 36,000 6.08 Boundary wall comprising low brickwall with piers and metal infill m 50 $ 725 $ 36,250 6.09 Single gate No 2 $ 1,000 $ 2,000 6.10 Pair of gates No 2 $ 1,500 $ 3,000 6.11 Allowance for landscaping/grassing Item $ 34,000 6.12 New carparking area and access roads including kerbs, drainage an lighting m2 2500 $ 80 $ 200,000
Sub-total for External Works $ 522,500
Neil Butler Quantity Surveying Services Page: 7 of 15 14.11 - SoI - Pool Shire Of Irwin - Aquatic Centre Development Concept Cost Indication Richardson Road, Port Denison 14 August 2014
Concept Cost Plan
Item Description Unit Quantity Rate Amount
7.0 Builder's Preliminaries
7.01 Builder's Preliminaries Item 12% $ 308,202
Sub-total for Builder's Preliminaries $ 308,202
Total Construction Costs $ 2,876,552
8.0 CONTINGENCIES
8.01 Allowance for design contingencies Item 10.0% $ 287,655 8.02 Allowance for contract contingencies Item 7.5% $ 237,316
Sub-total for Contingencies $ 524,971
9.0 FURNITURE AND FITTINGS
9.01 Allowance for site furniture including seats, bins, tables etc Item $ 25,000
Sub-total for Furniture and Fittings $ 25,000
Neil Butler Quantity Surveying Services Page: 8 of 15 14.11 - SoI - Pool Shire Of Irwin - Aquatic Centre Development Concept Cost Indication Richardson Road, Port Denison 14 August 2014
Concept Cost Plan
Item Description Unit Quantity Rate Amount 10.0 PROFESSIONAL FEES
10.01 Allowance for professional fees Item 10% $ 342,652
Sub-total for Professional Fees $ 342,652
11.0 ESCALATION
11.01 Allowance for escalation in costs has not been included Item 0% $ -
Sub-total for Escalation $ -
12.0 REGIONAL ALLOWANCE
12.01 Regional allowance for Port Denison (excludes Fees) Item 12% $ 411,183
Sub-total for Regional Allowance $ 411,183
TOTAL ESTIMATED COMMITMENT (Port Denison) $ 4,180,358
Goods & Services Tax (10%) $ 418,036
TOTAL ESTIMATED COMMITMENT (Including GST) $ 4,598,394
Neil Butler Quantity Surveying Services Page: 9 of 15 14.11 - SoI - Pool Shire Of Irwin - Aquatic Centre Development Concept Cost Indication Richardson Road, Port Denison 14 August 2014
Stage 3 - Enclose 25m x 6 Lane Outdoor Pool
Drawings
This Concept Cost Indication has been based on 1:1000Shire of Irwin Pool Outline Plan
Concept Cost Plan
Item Description Unit Quantity Rate Amount
1.0 Demolition & Site Clearance
1.03 Clear site of existing paving etc necessary for construction of new building Item $ 5,000
Sub-total for Demolition & Site Clearance $ 5,000
2.0 New 25m x 6 lane pool (Lane width 2.5m)
2.03 Heat pumps for pool/air heating Item $ 100,000
Sub-total for New 525m x 6 lane Pool $ 100,000
3.0 New Building
3.01 Pool enclosure m2 1200 $ 2,400 $ 2,880,000 3.02 New concourse paving m2 725 $ 100 $ 72,500 3.03 New concourse drainage Item $ 10,875
Sub-total for New Buildings $ 2,963,375
Neil Butler Quantity Surveying Services Page: 10 of 15 14.11 - SoI - Pool Shire Of Irwin - Aquatic Centre Development Concept Cost Indication Richardson Road, Port Denison 14 August 2014
Concept Cost Plan
Item Description Unit Quantity Rate Amount
4.0 Existing Changerooms Upgrade
4.01 The full extent of the refurbishment has not been determined Note
4.02 Allowance for modifications and connection of new pool hall to existing reception, changerooms etc Item $ 20,000
Sub-total for Existing Changerooms Upgrade $ 20,000
5.0 External Services
5.01 Allowance for stormwater disposal Item $ 25,000 5.02 Allowance for external electrical services Item $ 25,000
Sub-total for External Services $ 50,000
6.0 External Works
6.01 Allowance for modifications to existing landscaping, paving etc Item $ 30,000
Sub-total for External Works $ 30,000
7.0 Builder's Preliminaries
7.01 Builder's Preliminaries Item 10% $ 316,838
Sub-total for Builder's Preliminaries $ 316,838
Total Construction Costs $ 3,485,213
8.0 CONTINGENCIES
8.01 Allowance for design contingencies Item 10.0% $ 348,521 8.02 Allowance for contract contingencies Item 7.5% $ 287,530
Sub-total for Contingencies $ 636,051
9.0 FURNITURE AND FITTINGS
9.01 Allowance for site furniture - pool hall Item $ 20,000
Sub-total for Furniture and Fittings $ 20,000
Neil Butler Quantity Surveying Services Page: 11 of 15 14.11 - SoI - Pool Shire Of Irwin - Aquatic Centre Development Concept Cost Indication Richardson Road, Port Denison 14 August 2014
Concept Cost Plan
Item Description Unit Quantity Rate Amount
10.0 PROFESSIONAL FEES
10.01 Allowance for professional fees Item 10% $ 414,126
Sub-total for Professional Fees $ 414,126
11.0 ESCALATION
11.01 Allowance for escalation in costs has not been included Item 0% $ -
Sub-total for Escalation $ -
12.0 REGIONAL ALLOWANCE
12.01 Regional allowance for Port Denison (excludes Fees) Item 12% $ 496,952
Sub-total for Regional Allowance $ 496,952
TOTAL ESTIMATED COMMITMENT (Port Denison) $ 5,052,342
Goods & Services Tax (10%) $ 505,234
TOTAL ESTIMATED COMMITMENT (Including GST) $ 5,557,576
Neil Butler Quantity Surveying Services Page: 12 of 15 14.11 - SoI - Pool Shire Of Irwin - Aquatic Centre Development Concept Cost Indication Richardson Road, Port Denison 14 August 2014
Option 4 - 25m x 6 Lane Ocean Pool
Drawings
This Concept Cost Indication has been based on 1:1000Shire of Irwin Pool Outline Plan
Concept Cost Plan
Item Description Unit Quantity Rate Amount
1.0 Demolition & Site Clearance
1.01 Allowance for site clearance Item $ 25,000
Sub-total for Demolition & Site Clearance $ 25,000
2.0 New 25m x 6 lane pool (Lane width 2.5m)(Total Water Area = 475m2)
2.01 Coffer dam built around construction area to allow building of pool Item $ 110,250
2.02 25 metre x 6 lane pool including toddler/leisure area Item $ 855,000 2.03 1.5m wide concourse around pool m2 90 $ 485 $ 43,650 2.04 3m wide concourse on ground m2 90 $ 175 $ 15,750 2.05 Pumps, filters, pool hydraulics, plantroom hydraulics etc Item $ 75,000
2.06 Flow and return line to ocean m 120 350 $ 42,000 2.07 Removable diving blocks No 6 $ 1,200 $ 7,200 2.08 Lane rope anchor cast into wall of pool No 10 $ 350 $ 3,500 2.09 Pool blanket including storage rollers (manual operation) Item Excluded
2.10 Allowance for lane ropes etc Item $ 30,000 2.11 Allowance for water features Item $ 31,250 2.12 1200 high pool fencing m 100 $ 250 $ 25,000 2.13 Gates No 2 $ 1,000 $ 2,000 2.14 Life guard shelter No 1 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 2.15 Allowance for lighting around pool Item $ 40,000 2.16 New pump enclosure room and store Item $ 25,000
Sub-total for New 25m x 6 lane Pool $ 1,205,350
3.0 External Services
3.01 Allowance for external water services Item $ 20,000 3.02 Allowance for external electrical services Item $ 50,000 3.03 Allowance for relocation of services ( extent unknown) Item $ 25,000
Sub-total for External Services $ 95,000
4.0 External Works
4.01 Allowance for landscaping around adjacent area of beach front Item $ 50,000
Neil Butler Quantity Surveying Services Page: 13 of 15 14.11 - SoI - Pool Shire Of Irwin - Aquatic Centre Development Concept Cost Indication Richardson Road, Port Denison 14 August 2014
Concept Cost Plan
Item Description Unit Quantity Rate Amount Sub-total for External Works $ 50,000
Neil Butler Quantity Surveying Services Page: 14 of 15 14.11 - SoI - Pool Shire Of Irwin - Aquatic Centre Development Concept Cost Indication Richardson Road, Port Denison 14 August 2014
Concept Cost Plan
Item Description Unit Quantity Rate Amount
5.0 Builder's Preliminaries
5.01 Builder's Preliminaries Item 10% $ 137,535
Sub-total for Builder's Preliminaries $ 137,535
Total Construction Costs $ 1,512,885
6.0 CONTINGENCIES
6.01 Allowance for design contingencies Item 10.0% $ 151,289 6.02 Allowance for contract contingencies Item 15.0% $ 249,626
Sub-total for Contingencies $ 400,915
7.0 FURNITURE AND FITTINGS
7.02 Allowance for site furniture - Bench seats, bins etc Item $ 27,000
Sub-total for Furniture and Fittings $ 27,000
8.0 PROFESSIONAL FEES
8.02 Allowance for professional fees - Geo technical report, marine engineer etc Item 15% $ 291,120
Sub-total for Professional Fees $ 291,120
9.0 ESCALATION
9.01 Allowance for escalation in costs has not been included Item 0% $ -
Sub-total for Escalation $ -
10.0 REGIONAL ALLOWANCE
10.01 Regional allowance for Port Denison (excludes Fees) Item 12% $ 232,896
Sub-total for Regional Allowance $ 232,896
TOTAL ESTIMATED COMMITMENT (Port Denison) $ 2,464,815
Goods & Services Tax (10%) $ 246,482
TOTAL ESTIMATED COMMITMENT (Including GST) $ 2,711,297
Neil Butler Quantity Surveying Services Page: 15 of 15 14.11 - SoI - Pool