Goulburn Aquatic Centre upgrade moves forward

Plans for the $29 million first stage redevelopment of the Goulburn Aquatic Centre have been approved by the NSW Joint Regional Planning Panel.

The Development Approval covers refurbishment of the facility’s existing indoor 25 metre pool, an additional 10 lane 25 metre indoor pool, a hydrotherapy pool, outdoor water play area, café, new change rooms and amenities and car parking and landscaping upgrades.

Advising that approval enables an important project for Goulburn and the wider region, Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Bob Kirk stated this week “this is a great result, which allows us to move forward with this wonderful project for our region.

“Council will now commence the procurement process for construction, using an expression of interest phase to select tenderers (and) is hopeful of awarding the tender for construction before the end of 2019.”

In considering the development, the NSW Joint Regional Planning Panel called for more trees to be retained, enhancing the ‘park-like feel’ of the facility, and for a traffic management plan to be submitted and approved before any work starts.

They also requested that the Council update a plan of management for Victoria Park, recognising the need for special event parking.

With the facility listed as a heritage item, conditions also called for a War Memorial commemoration to remain on site, the commissioning of an oral history with key people associated with the swimming pool's development and a photographic archive.

In addition, old change rooms that were proposed to be demolished at the northern end will now be re-purposed for storage.

The project is backed by $10 million in funding from the NSW Government. Funding is still being sourced for stage two.

The second stage of the development, estimated to bring the total project cost to $50 million, will see the replacement of the 50 metre outdoor pool, upgrading of amenities and a new plant room, the addition of two zero depth splash pads, a beach volleyball court, a new plant room, more car parking and landscaping.

Images: Artist's impression of the redeveloped aquatic centre, encompassing the two stages (top and below) and the redeveloped main entry (middle). Images supplied.