City of Rockingham declines tender for Aqua Jetty Stage Two

City of Rockingham, a local government area in Perth's far southern suburbs, has advised that on 12th December, Elected Members voted to decline the tender for Stage Two of its flagship aquatic and leisure facility - the Aqua Jetty - as it exceeded the budget allocation, and to instruct the Chief Executive to investigate redesign options for Stage Two in an effort to reduce construction costs.

The tendered price to update and modernise the Aqua Jetty is significantly higher than the available budget, approximately 60% higher than the pre-tender estimate obtained during the design phase, and in Council’s view does not represent value for money for ratepayers.

Council advised that the price increase, attributed to the global increase in construction costs since the COVID pandemic, and a tight labour market, would create a funding shortfall for which the City has not budgeted and would have a material impact on the City’s future planned works and costs to ratepayers. 

Mayor Deb Hamblin said the City needs to be mindful of the impact the shortfall would have on residents at a time when the wider community continues to deal with increased cost of living pressures.

Mayor Hamblin shared “we are very disappointed that we won’t be able to commence work on this important project early next year, as we had hoped, but as everyone managing their household costs knows there is a limit to how far the budget can stretch.

“The City will undertake some  essential asset renewal projects at the Aqua Jetty over the next few years to ensure the user experiences continues at a high level. 

“Declining the tender gives Council time to take stock and consider the financial implications more fully.”

Back in February 2022, the City of Rockingham endorsed the final concept design for stage two development of the Aqua Jetty which was to include the development of a wellness suite along with an expanded ‘learn to swim’ facility, aquatic play spaces and larger fitness facility.

Aqua Jetty currently features a heated 50 metre outdoor pool, heated 25 metre indoor pool, sauna, hydrotherapy pool, fully equipped gym, multipurpose indoor courts, outdoor courts, café and a crèche.

Under the new concept design endorsed by Council, the facility would have undergone major upgrades across several areas.