Bundaberg Regional Council secures funding for new Aquatic Centre

Bundaberg Regional Council has announced that the Queensland Government has approved its request to allocate the latest round of Works for Queensland funding for the development of the new Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre.

Queensland Assistant Minister for Local Government Nikki Boyd and Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith joined Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey last week for the announcement will see the Queensland Government contribute over $13 million towards the $45 million project.

Mayor Dempsey said it was an important day for the region’s future, with the state’s funding commitment coming just weeks away from the Council’s budget, advising “the Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre is a once-in-a-generation project and will be a gamechanger for our region.

“It will be a training ground for world-class local athletes, it will attract a high level of competition with all of the media coverage and visitors that come along with that.

“The economic, social and health benefits of this facility will be felt for many, many years to come.

“I’ve been advocating for the Bundaberg Region to host training and competition for the 2032 Olympics if Queensland’s bid is successful - this new aquatic centre would be suitable as an Olympics training base.”

The new aquatic facility will be a FINA-standard complex featuring a 50-metre, heated, undercover competition pool, cafe and grassed spectator area.

Mayor Dempsey went on to say “our intention is to deliver all stages of this project in the next three years.”

He also noted that “the Anzac Park redevelopment will activate the riverfront and make it a vibrant and sought-after community space.”

He reiterated that Anzac Pool would remain operational during construction until a transition timeline to the new aquatic facility could be finalised.

Capable of hosting international standard events, construction of the facility will start next year.

Images show concepts for the Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre.