Federation Council explores Corowa Aquatic Centre’s future operational sustainability

Federation Council, located within an agriculturally rich and diverse area on the border of New South Wales and Victoria, is currently exploring alternative operating models for the Corowa Aquatic Centre following reported operational losses.

Federation Council is home to thriving and diverse communities of Corowa, Howlong, Mulwala, Oaklands, Urana, Balldale, Boree Creek, Buraja-Lowesdale, Coreen, Daysdale, Morundah, Rand, Rennie and Savernake.

According to The Shepparton News, Federation Council has reported consecutive operating losses of $583,312 in 2021-22, followed by a projected loss of $361,758 for 2022-23.

To assist with maximising the Corowa Aquatic Centre full potential for patrons and the community, Council staff undertook a service review of Corowa Aquatic Centre to identify and weigh-up different service delivery model options that could be successfully implemented at the centre. Seven different service delivery models were identified as part of this review.

The service review was considered at the June 2023 Council meeting and Council selected two preferred service delivery models to seek community feedback and input – reported by The Shepparton News to both entail around a $500,000 annual operating loss.

Council staff are undertaking community engagements throughout July to seek community input before Council makes a decision about the future service delivery model.

A third option - a tiered supervision service model – provides the lowest forecast operating annual result of $469,471; the sixth option - a contracted service model – with a $504,893 loss were suggested by staff.

The tiered model involves tailoring lifeguard supervision based on patron numbers and risk; the third-party contractor model involves transferring responsibility of service delivery to the third party under a contract.

The Corowa Aquatic Centre was opened to the public on 26th April 2021 and has now been operational for just over two years under Council's direct management.

Back in September 2022, Council called for Expressions of Interest from local residents to join the Corowa Aquatic Centre Consultative Committee.

Federation Council Mayor, Patrick Bourke noted “the Corowa Pool Consultative Committee was established in 2018 to assist Federation Council with community consultation for the development of the new Corowa Aquatic Centre. This Committee was instrumental in assisting Council with the design of the new facility.

“Now that the facility has been built, Council has revised the Consultative Committee Terms of Reference to focus on the service delivery and operations aspects of the centre to ensure it meets the needs of the community and is managed in an effective and efficient manner.”

The Corowa Aquatic Centre benefits many of the thriving and diverse communities serviced by Federation Council.

Those benefits include learn to swim lessons, aqua fitness classes, physiotherapy and rehabilitation sessions, swim club training and activities, local and regional swim competitions, school carnivals and fun days, sports training, regular lap swimming, and general fitness and recreation.

Federation Council director development and environmental services Susan Appleyard told The Shepparton News that several challenges have impacted on the operations of the centre: interruptions due to COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, centre closure due to the 2022 flood, external economic pressures and climate, milder weather over the last two summers with less days over 40 degrees than normal.

“These challenges have resulted in less than anticipated visitors to the region and subsequent admissions to the centre,” Appleyard shared.