Current Projects and Activities
BRIEF PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Break O’Day Council is exploring the potential construction and operation of an Aquatic Facility in our area. The project initially involves a feasibility analysis to assess whether such a facility is viable. This analysis will examine the various components of the proposed aquatic facility, including its design, potential locations, and the anticipated level of community use. Additionally, the financial projections will be broad and consider the community’s ability to fund the project. The primary goal of the feasibility analysis is to address key questions, such as whether an aquatic facility is feasible, what it could look like, where it might be located, and how it would be financed.
CONSULTANTS:
Otium Planning Group
KEY ACTIVITIES & INDICATIVE TIMELINES:
| DATE | ACTIVITY | DETAIL |
| August-September 2024 | Pre-Research | Reviewing all background studies, demographics etc. Reviewing competitor facilities and aquatic trends. This will inform a Needs gap analysis |
| Late October – Early December | Community Engagement | This will include:
|
| November | Research comparable facilities | Examining three rural or similar facilities |
| January 2025 | Component Schedule | Outlining what the facility would require to help guide site capability discussions |
| Cost Plan | Based on agreed components, a high level cost plan will be developed | |
| Financial Monitoring | Develop a detailed financial model and investigate potential funding opportunities | |
| February 2025 | Draft Feasibility Study | A Draft will be presented to Council for discussion. After it has been to Council it will be released to the community for their input. |
| February – March 2025 | Community Feedback | Community feedback on the draft will be collated and considered in the final version |
| March 2025 | Final Feasibility Report | Will be released to the public and uploaded to Council’s website. |
* It is important to note that the Key Activities and Timelines are indicative only and that they may evolve and change as the consultancy progresses.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
There will be several opportunities for the community to have their say on the Aquatic Feasibility Study project. We will share links and promotions to these opportunities here as they arise. We will also promote these opportunities through our Newsletter, Social Media and email databases as well as other local media outlets.
COMMUNITY FACE-TO-FACE WORKSHOPS
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE REPORT
Once the Feasibility Analysis has been developed, it will be presented to the Council who will decide if the project investigation should proceed to Stage 2 which is the development of a detailed business case and concept design.
The investigations and ultimately decision making around a potential Aquatic Facility in the area will be the most complex and ultimately future shaping project to be considered by the Council since the amalgamation of Portland and Fingal Councils creating Break O’Day in 1993. A decision to build and manage an Aquatic Facility will be lived with for future generations.
Once this work is completed, Council will need to make a decision on whether to progress to Stage 2, you can find the various stages of this project in the Methodology document below.
If progressed, the construction of a facility will require external funding, meaning Council will need to seek State and Federal funding to deliver such a project.
RELEVANT DOCUMENTS