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The development of the Boyne Tannum Aquatic Recreation Centre (BTARC) in Central Queensland is moving forward with the successful tenderer for the detailed design of the facility set to be announced soon following a recent approval by the Gladstone Regional Council.

Set to be developed on a 9.95 hectare site in Tannum Sands, the facility will feature a 50-metre heated outdoor pool, a 25-metre heated indoor pool, a children's play area, a waterslide, a gymnasium, a sauna, a cafe and meeting rooms for hire.

Originally proposed by private developer, ZenDev, a plan that the Council rejected in December last year in favour of building, owning and operating its own facility, the project still needs formal assessment and approval under Queensland’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

At the 21st March Council general meeting it was heard tenders had closed for the detailed design of the project and that the Council hoped to award the tender this calendar year, with an approximate six month period for that design to take place.

Key design features of the council facility include a FINA standard, eight lane 50 metre outdoor heated pool, a “distinct recreational zone with twin waterslide attraction” and splash pad, an all abilities access pool ramp and pool shading, shaded turf seating areas, a spectator embankment and a kiosk.

Council documents introducing the Centre advise “BTARC will be a high quality and contemporary facility catering for community sports and recreation needs as well as competitive local and regional events”, adding that the facility will be used year-round by a “diverse group of users” which will enhance the health and fitness, tourism and visitor experiences in the Gladstone region.

The documents go on to state “development of a public swimming pool facility has long been identified as one of the highest social infrastructure needs for the Boyne/Tannum community given that access to a public swimming pool for the community is currently a minimum 25 minute drive to Gladstone.”

It further states the council considered 11 sites for the BTARC but that the Dunn Street site was chose as it was Council-owned; close to residential areas, schools and the Tannum Sands Shopping Centre; was serviced by public transport; and was part of the ‘Emerging Community’ zoning under the region’s planning scheme.

The facility will have 94 car parking spaces including three for people with a disability, plus six bicycle parking spaces, and a coach set down area.

The application states the BTARC will require the removal of about 1.7 hectare of native vegetation from the site, but it was “considered unlikely” to be “critical” habitat for threatened or near-threatened species like the koala and white-throated needletail.

The submitted Environmental Impact Statement says a “construction environmental management plan will be prepared for the project” requiring a species management plan that includes the use of a spotter/catcher while vegetation is disturbed to identify any fauna for relocation.

If koalas are spotted, they must be undisturbed and left alone until they leave “on their own accord”.

The Council approval comes after it rejected Zen Dev’s proposal to build a riverfront aquatic centre at neighbouring Boyne Island.

It was reported in December that Councillors had backed recommendations to decline entering into a commercial lease with Zen Dev and instead press forward with its own project.

Images: Gladstone Regional Council concepts for the Boyne Tannum Aquatic Recreation Centre. Credit: Gladstone Regional Council.

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