Fleurieu Aquatic Centre deficit concerns local councillors

A deficit of $643,560 in the operation of the Fleurieu Aquatic Centre is concerning the City of Victor Harbor and Alexandrina Councils.

A recent review of the facility’s budget showed the deficit, identified before Council contributions as being $1,318,350 over the year (a $3611.91 deficit per day), within the Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre Authority 2019/20 First Quarter Budget.

Built at a cost of over $20 million in cross-council collaboration by the City of Victor Harbor and Alexandrina Council, energy costs are believed to be a significant factor in the facility’s operating costs.

As reported by the Victor Harbor Times, an Alexandrina Council meeting in January heard Councillor Michael Farrier advised “we should be listening to these alarm bells and want a direction that the loss will decrease (and) wWe should be looking more at solar options for the centre to reduce power bills."

At the City of Victor Harbor, Councillors David Kemp and Peter Charles were also reported as being concerned the aquatic centre was a "too bigger drain" on Council finances.

Councillor Kemp commented “the aquatic centre is a burden on our community, but the new Board is trying hard to reduce costs. We are working on some new initiatives to reduce the deficit and make it more manageable.

"Add the deficits from what I call council business undertakings - Horse Drawn Tram $364,000 2019/20 Annual Plan, Whale Centre $282,200 2019/20 Annual Plan, Visitor Information Centre $385,800 2019/20 Annual Plan and the FRAC $700,700 2019/20 Annual Plan and you have a total deficit of $1,732,700.

"In my opinion this is not sustainable as the expenses are increasing yearly and the Council is not showing signs of reducing the deficit of these areas. The Council needs to think strategic on any new major projects and the impact it will have on the community through rate rises. It needs to get their back yard in order in reducing these deficits."