Eurobodalla Shire Council moves forward with plans for new Batemans Bay Aquatic and Cultural Centre

Eurobodalla Shire Council on the NSW south coast has moved forward with its controversial plans for the Batemans Bay Regional Aquatic, Arts and Leisure Centre with the first stages of construction tendering set to commence.

The project, with an estimated cost in excess of $55 million, has been the subject of a number of community objections since it was first announced in 2016, with the majority focusing on a whether Batemans Bay should get a new 50-metre Olympic-standard pool or a 25-metre pool.

Sections of the community, led by the Batemans Bay Swimming Club and a number of local schools and community groups, have also raised concerns about the possible loss of the current 50 metre pool, with the nearest pool of that size being south at Narooma or north at Ulladulla.

With 50 metre pools a major drain on operational resources, in February 2018, Eurobodalla Shire Council Mayor Liz Innes told a community meeting that “a 50-metre pool was not affordable or justified”.

Mayor Innes went on to say that a 50-metre pool would have undermined the strength of the Council’s application for funding, and that ratepayers had “absolutely no appetite in the community for the delivery of the centre to come off the back of a rate increase”.

As reported by Get Regional, a three-member Southern Regional Planning Panel unanimously approved the development application on 23rd April for the new facility that will replace the existing 50-metre outdoor pool with an indoor multi-pool aquatic centre and a 350-seat performance space, joined by a gallery walk that will also house a visitor information centre.

Lodged by Eurobodalla Shire Council in October, the development application process was delayed by bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. The NSW Government appointed an independent planning panel to determine the application because the Council is the owner and the value of the development exceeds $30 million.

Plans for the adjacent vacant site of the former Batemans Bay Bowling Club remains unclear, with Eurobodalla Shire Council having purchased by the site for $2.7 million in 2016.

The site is currently being leased as a site office and equipment storage area for construction of the new Batemans Bay bridge.

Council secured $51 million in Federal and NSW Government funds for the aquatic and leisure centre project in 2017 based on plans developed by NBRS Architecture in collaboration with a project steering committee and user groups.

Advising that the Council hopes to be able to have preferred builder recommended as of late June or early July, Mayor Innes said subject to that process, demolition of the 50-metre pool and the popular Batemans Bay Mini Golf could start in August.

Mayor Innes went on to advise “by early 2022, we’ll be swimming in our new pools and enjoying performances in the arts centre.”

The Council’s plan for the new facility includes replacing the ageing 50-metre outdoor pool with a 25-metre eight-lane pool that could operate all year. The new pool area would include a warm-water therapy pool and spa, freeform indoor leisure pool with learn-to-swim and toddler areas, water-play splash pad, waterslides, gym, group fitness and wellness area.

The plan for the art and cultural centre includes an auditorium with seating for up to 500 people, a ‘wet’ arts workshop space for pottery and painting, a ‘dry’ arts workshop space for drawing and textiles, as well as meeting and multi-purpose rooms and amenities.

The town’s existing visitor information centre would be relocated to the site, while a cafe and associated retail and administration offices are also included in the plan.

The current plan does not have room for Batemans Bay’s popular mini-golf centre which had a lease on the land that expires as of 30th June 2022.

The Council negotiated with the attraction’s owners to acquire its lease so “the development can proceed in the most efficient way”.

The former Batemans Bay Bowling Club site is also not included in the plan. It was acquired by the Council from the Catalina Country Club in 2016 and has laid dormant since.

Lower image shows Eurobodalla Shire Council's plan for the Batemans Bay Regional Aquatic, Arts and Leisure Centre.