Since 2003 the City has conducted six studies and delivered nine community polls/surveys incorporating sport and recreation needs. The community has indicated significant support for aquatic facilities, indoor sports and a gymnasium.
The City has no public aquatic facilities, which restricts the local community’s ability to participate in recreation programs such as ‘Learn to Swim’. A review undertaken in 2015 indicated that a conventional swimming pool, whilst publicly supported would require ongoing financial subsidy to meet operational costs.
The City's only indoor recreation facility (George Burnett Leisure Centre) is below industry standard for provision of indoor sports and recreation, comprising one under-sized sports court. The minimum requirement for indoor sports such as basketball and netball in an area of this size is three to eight courts.
As outlined in the City’s Strategic Community Plan 2020-2030, the City has committed to the planning for and promoting of recreation and aquatic facilities to service City of South Perth needs.
The City has conducted a feasibility study for a multi-purpose recreation and aquatic facility (RAF) and Stage 1: Project Definition and Business Case is presently underway, to be presented to Council in October 2020.
No, the RAF will not result in an increase in rates. The potential for this project to proceed is based on a number of factors including (but not limited to) demonstrated financial self-sustainability now and in the future.
A central and highly accessible location that has links to a large population base is essential for the viability of such a facility and using existing City assets would reduce both the economic and environmental costs.
A number of potential site locations within a 5km radius of Curtin University were identified to take advantage of partnership opportunities and potential links with students and education programs. This location provides potential to service a regional catchment across the neighbouring Town of Victoria Park and the City of Canning as well as the University student and staff population.
Twenty-three possible sites were identified and six were shortlisted. The shortlisted sites were identified based on the following criteria:
- available building footprint
- integration opportunities with existing City owned facilities
- funding partner opportunities
- environmental impact
- land and stakeholder impact
- good road access and traffic impact
- long term planning for the area
- space for parking
Opportunities and constraints of each site were investigated based on functional requirements, delivery viability, funding, market and value for money.
Council has confirmed Collier Park Golf Course as the preferred site for the proposed Recreation and Aquatic Facility (RAF) due to the strong additional funding opportunities it offers. The City needed to select a site in order to progress the Stage 1: Project Definition and Business Case, which is vital to determine whether the project is worth pursuing.
The business case will include a stakeholder and funding strategy, estimates on capital and operational costs, delivery and operational procurement models, delivery risk assessment, facility scope and accommodation plans, and any required commercial and partner agreements.
A number of City assets were considered when reviewing potential locations that could accommodate or integrate with the RAF including George Burnett Leisure Centre.
At the feasibility stage of the project it was determined that the facility would need to be located within a 5km radius of Curtin University to take advantage of partnership opportunities and potential links with students and education programs.
Each site was evaluated and assessed based on factors including available space, funding partnership opportunities, traffic management, accessibility to main roads, public transport and bike lanes/paths.
The selected sites were further shortlisted to Collier Park Golf Course (north of the clubhouse) and George Burnett Leisure Centre. The Golf Course is preferred due to the greater potential funding opportunities the site offers, better opportunities for establishing integrated facilities, enhancing commercial and operational viability and future proofing the golf course.
The golf course is a highly accessible location with direct access to Curtin University and links to a large population base, which is essential for the viability of such a facility.
The City is at the very early stages of exploring the feasibility of the RAF project. Depending on funding and partnership outcomes, the facility could incorporate aquatic facilities, public gymnasium, golf and group exercise space.
The benefits of developing a multi-purpose recreation facility like the proposed RAF were highlighted in the City’s Community Recreation Facilities Plan. The adopted Plan recommends the City to investigate provision of a Regional Recreation and Aquatic facility to include:
- Six to eight indoor sports courts to accommodate netball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis and other relevant sports
- Outdoor and indoor swimming pool, leisure water, spa/sauna and other necessary aquatic sports
- Education spaces, commercial spaces, entertainment spaces (function areas, golf), gymnasium, health and wellness space
- Partnerships with Federal and State Governments and commercial operators to assist in capital and life cycle funding.
This question will be better answered following the completion of a full Project Definition and Business Case for the proposal. This is presently under way and scheduled to be presented to Council in October 2020.
Yes.
Whilst this project is currently in its infancy and financial sustainability and partnership funding opportunities are the key focus of the feasibility study at this stage, the City is committed to engaging and consulting with the community throughout the process.
Sporting groups and clubs and the community will all have expectations and considerations that will need to be planned for to ensure the success of this project.
Options for the management of the facility will be reviewed as part of Stage 1: Project Definition and Business Case.
There are a number of models in use across the country including:
- Direct Management where the City retains total control and accountability for operations
- Indirect Management where the City retains control through a body corporate
The City is committed to working in partnership with key stakeholders in the development of this project to ensure that it is a financially sustainable facility.
A review of the Collier Park Golf Course has identified that the current business focused on the traditional golf market will not support the facility into the future. The business model needs to become more market-focused to broaden its appeal to women, families, diverse groups and younger generations in order to stay relevant and commercially viable.
Traditional golf will always be part of the offering at the proposed RAF, however, there will be a move towards more short form based golf and ‘Top Golf’ driving range options. This will ensure that the golf course remains a financially sustainable community asset for many years to come.
The 18 hole course will be retained with a 9 hole short course also included. The area adjacent to the existing club house will be remodelled to provide the double storey technology based driving range and an improved short game practice area. It will also include the mini-golf facility that is currently under development.
Golf provides a range of broad community benefits that align with the core purposes of local government. Siting the RAF on CPGC allows for the maximisation of benefits whilst financial demands are concentrated and reduced through the focus on a single facility.
The preferred site for the RAF is the northern area of the golf course. The trees in this area are junior pine trees planted in the late 1990's. They do not form part of the cockatoo roosting site.
Plans for the RAF are still at the early project definition stage and there are still a number of considerations to be taken into account before making a final decision about this site, including the requirement to protect the black cockatoo habitat.
The environmental impact of any proposed facility will be undertaken as part of the project.
The City is committed to ensuring that the cockatoos on the site are protected and we will continue to carry out the extensive work we already undertake to protect the environment of the golf course.
A Gateway structure is being developed to facilitate governance and decision making support and to retain Council oversight and control of the project.
The key stages have been identified as follows:
Project Initiation: Feasibility and Site Selection completed
Stage 1: Project Definition and Business Case – March to October 2020
Stage 2 - 5: Design - November 2020 to July 2021
Stage 6: Procurement and Tender – August to November 2021
Stage 7: Construction - November 2021 to July 2023
Stage 8: Completion and Handover – August to December 2023
Stage 9: Operational - January 2024
These gateways align with the anticipated stages of financial contributions towards the project for both Council and other project partners to limit financial exposure for all as the project progresses to the approval of the construction stage.
The key decision gateways for Council would be:
1. Confirmation of site location and approval to proceed to finalise financial partners and project scope
2. Confirmation of financial partners and approval of Project Definition and Business Case to commence detailed design
3. Confirmation of final design and approval to commence to construction.
