NEW swimming facilities for the Ipswich community are on the starting blocks with Ipswich City Council endorsing a new Aquatics Facilities Action Plan.
An upgrade of the Rosewood Aquatic Centre is first in line with $430,000 allocated in council’s 2022-25 Capital Works Program for early planning and design work.
Construction and other projects in the plan are yet to be considered in future budget talks.
The Aquatic Facilities Action Plan recommends:
• Replacement of the Rosewood Aquatic Centre due to the age and condition of the facility;
• A new indoor pool at the Bundamba aquatic centre;
• A new aquatic centre in the city’s south-east; and
• An additional two splash parks in the city.
Community, Culture, Arts and Sport Committee Chairman Andrew Fechner said swimming
ranked as the second most popular activity for children and the seventh most popular activity for adults in the city.
“The population of Ipswich is expected to more than double in the next two decades,” Cr Fechner said.
“Consequently, there will be increased pressure on existing public open spaces, sport and recreation facilities, and programs and services supporting participation in sport, recreation, and physical activity.
“The Aquatic Facilities Action Plan will enable council to implement more effective planning of current and future aquatic facilities assets and services and provide quality and diverse aquatic facilities to the community.”
A recent Royal Life Saving Australia report titled ‘The State of Aquatic Infrastructure in Australia’ highlighted the challenges facing the government owners of the 1,306 publicly accessible pools across the nation.
The report found that the average government-owned pool in Australia was built in 1968 with 40 percent of these reaching their lifespan by the end of this decade.
“With most of these pools owned by local councils, the need to plan and budget for their eventual replacement is a significant and costly challenge for local governments including Ipswich City Council,” Cr Fechner said.
“I am pleased to see this work begin in council’s Aquatic Facilities Action Plan.”
