SWIMMING POOLS
COPPER COAST
2013
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Moonta Bay.................................................................................................................................................8
Wallaroo .....................................................................................................................................................9
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Moonta Bay...............................................................................................................................................13
Wallaroo ...................................................................................................................................................15
Program Pool 15m x 7.5m (inc Hydrotherapy) .........................................................................................16
Public Pool ................................................................................................................................................20
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Swimming Enclosures ...............................................................................................................................20
Program Pool ............................................................................................................................................20
Public Pool ................................................................................................................................................20
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The purpose of the Copper Coast Swimming Pool Working Party was to investigate and then
provide recommendations via the CEO for the future consideration of the Council in regards
to a future land based swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool and the current swimming
enclosures by:
 Considering a variety of options and providing comment
 Preparing costs and funding models
 Assisting with understanding a range of community preferences and likely usage
The working party appraised the current position and concluded that the swimming
enclosures have traditionally been part of the summer experience on the Copper Coast. It
should be the highest priority to preserve that experience for both the local population and
the tourism industry and if water play activities were added, it would create many of the
benefits of a land based swimming facility, but without the associated operating costs. A
hydrotherapy and learn to swim facility (program pool) was also deemed a high priority and
the sites identified for this was at the Wallaroo Hospital and the Copper Coast Sports and
Leisure Centre, predominately because those sites are already staffed and open seven days.
This smaller pool was given a higher priority over an indoor 25m public indoor pool which is
seen as a longer term project that could become more viable with future population growth.
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Swimming Enclosures x2 (Moonta Bay, Wallaroo)
 Both using nets that are fitted from November to March.
 Both in need of major maintenance or reconstruction
 Moonta Bay
 Size is about right, when nets are replaced increase length on
the seaward side by 3-4 metres
 The water is shallow at low tide and therefore the enclosure
needs to be 230m from the high tide line.
 Jetty structure sound and majority is owned by the State.
While this means the Council has no control over its long term
future, it has benefited from a state funded upgrade.
 Net supports deteriorated beyond repair and need
replacement
 Nets are often ineffective. i.e. gaps at the water line.
 Wallaroo
 Size is about right, with a good mix of shallow and deep areas
 The enclosure needs to between 0m and 80m from the high
tide line.
 Jetty structure has only 2 to 5 years life remaining and will
need to be either reconstructed in situ or replaced. The steel
section is at the end of its life cycle.
 Net supports form part of the jetty structure
 Nets are often ineffective. i.e. gaps at the water line.
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 Learn to swim – Holidays
 Learn to swim – Schools
Private Pool – Operated in Kadina (Closed in April 2013)
 Term 4 2012 (weekly)
 Learn to swim 269
 Toddlers 192
 Physio 23-29
 Leisure swims 20-25
 Disability 22-28
 Aqua Aerobics 42 (3 classes)
 (average cost $10 per person per 45min Session)
Other
 Closest Public Pools (Balaklava, Crystal Brook, Port Pirie, Clare)
 400,000 visitors (49% use the beach areas)
 CCSLC – Masterplan currently being undertaken
 Wallaroo Private Hospital reviewing its ability to establish a therapy pool
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Strengths
 Facilities being well patronised
 Two facilities – easier for schools to access (reduced bus costs)
 Beaches (pristine) / Jetties
 Access to natural environment
 No costs – lifeguards, chemicals etc. as associated with inland pool.
Weaknesses
 Costs to maintain structures
 No Hydrotherapy
 Climate – outdoor swimming (winter and hot summer days)
 School programs – no nets, no swimming at beach
 Condition of current netted pools.
 Safety in natural environment – sharks, fish, jellyfish, shells etc
 Public liability insurance
 Budget restraints of the Council to fund new or redevelopments(1.5M deficit
 Neighbouring Schools – travel costs
 High level accreditation for swimming certificates
 Swimming Enclosures cannot be insured against wave damage
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Opportunities
 Growing Community
 Well balanced community – various age groups
 Potential clientele
 Selling the idea to the community – fund raising etc.
 Grant funding options
 Activities / lessons already underway
 To have both netted pools and inland pool in the future
 CCSLC Masterplan - option to include hydrotherapy pool
 Wallaroo Health Services - option to include hydrotherapy pool
 Funding for hydrotherapy pool – health services?
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Moonta Bay
Jetty and Swimming Enclosure located approximately 230m from land on a DPTI
Jetty. The facility is suitably sized, but is in need of a major redevelopment.
FIGURE 1 - LOCATION OF EXISTING MOONTA BAY SWIMMING AREA
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Wallaroo
FIGURE 2 - AERIAL PHOTO OF EXISTING W ALLAROO SWIMMING AREA
The preferred replacement construction method is show below. This consists of steel
posts with steel mesh and a timber railing. A similar enclosure has successfully been
created at Streaky Bay.
FIGURE 3 - D ESIGN OF S WIMMING E NCLOSURE
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A feature of many indoor pool facilities is a water play area. A cost effective way of
enhancing the current outdoor facilities is to create outdoor water play areas that create
the options available at an indoor facility, but at a lower cost.
A joint project with the Moonta Bay Caravan Park operators will reduce the Councils
exposure to ongoing maintenance and operating costs.
NEWS FLASH
No one had to explain the splash pad to the kids.
"They love it! I can't get them out of there!" Dessouki shouted over the clamor of kids
blasting water guns, dodging buckets of water and yelping as geysers shot up between their
toes.
From the city's perspective, the splash pad is a good swap for the pool.
But the splash pad has almost no operational costs. That's because no staffers are required
-- children turn on the water themselves by touching raised switch-pads.
The water starts to flow and continues for five minutes. It alternates flowing from the guns,
showers and pop-up fountains.
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The park shuts itself down during rainstorms. "It is kind of on auto-pilot," said park and
recreation director Zac Dockter.
It requires very little maintenance.
Approximately 60 people (50% Physio / 50% Disability) regularly used the private facility at
Agery Road. It is believed these people could be catered for in a standalone therapy pool at
the Wallaroo Hospital or a multiuse program pool at the Copper Coast Sport and Leisure
Centre.
The construction of an indoor land based swimming pools has been requested by the
community via various methods over recent years. While it did feature in the Strategic
Planning process, it had a lower rating then some of the other community infrastructure
such as roads and community access pathways. A youth forum in 2012 also indicated by a
75% majority that the Councils first focus should be on fixing and improving the current
swimming enclosures.
Benefits

All year facility resolved issues with swimming opportunities in winter.

Not subject to weather or exposure to natural risks such as sea life.
Issues

Annual operating costs. Loss of at least $250,000 is predicted

Location. School groups may not travel for lessons due to the cost of busses.
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NEWS FLASH
Wollongong City Council is losing more than $3.5 million a year keeping its
network of public pools open
The figures show each and every swimmer is being subsidised by up to $10.85
per pool visit, courtesy of ratepayers.
This ranged from a net loss of $285,939 at Helensburgh pool to $522,104 at
Port Kembla pool.
A program pools has been identified as a cost effective method of providing a level of
service outside the scope of what the current swimming enclosures provide. A 15 x 7.5
metre program pool with a depth of 1.2m to 1.8m would provide a space for a variety of
water based activities including, learn to swim, aqua aerobics, hydro therapy and swimming
club based training. The pool temperature would need to be a compromise at around 32’ to
suit the multiple uses.
FIGURE 4 – PROPOSED LOCATION OF PROGRAM POOL
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Moonta Bay

Construct a permanent swimming enclosure using new posts and steel
mesh.

Install pontoons in the deep end

Water play in conjunction with the caravan park operator. With the
caravan park operator undertaking the daily maintenance and paying the
operating cost for the facility.

Change rooms in conjunction with upgraded toilets
FIGURE 5 - LOCATION OF PONTOONS AND E XTENSION OF ENCLOSURE
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FIGURE 6 - LOCATION OF WATER PLAY - CARAVAN PARK LAND
FIGURE 7 - PROPOSED WATER PLAY FEATURE
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Wallaroo

Construct a permanent swimming enclosure as per Streaky Bay

Create some water play – to a lessor scale than Moonta Bay due to
availability of land and the cost of new Jetty. Water nozzles placed in the
ground and water cannons would be options to consider.

Option 1 - Replace current jetty with a floating pontoon structure that
acts as a floating pool. One supplier has indicated that this system will
work, however, some doubt remains as to whether it will be able to
handle the winter storms.
FIGURE 8 - S HOWING FLOATING PONTOON AND NETS
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
Option 2 - Replace the existing Jetty with a straight jetty and construct an
enclosure off to one side, similar to the Moonta Bay enclosure.
FIGURE 9 - NEW JETTY
Program Pool 15m x 7.5m (inc Hydrotherapy)

Construct a new pool as part of the CCSLC

The pool could either be funded by debt, funded through the 13/14
capital budget or a combination of both. The indicative operational
budget does allow for some longer term payment of the construction
costs.

Pool to be utilised for learn to swim, aqua aerobics, clubs and for
treatment/therapy sessions
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Indicative Operating Budget
Income
Learn to Swim
$120,000.00
Aqua aerobics
$18,000.00
Therapy
$26,000.00
Group hire
$15,000.00
Total
$179,000.00
Expenses

Staff
$90,000.00
Power
$12,000.00
Chemicals
$8,000.00
Maintenance
$10,000.00
Interest
$18,000.00
Capital
$20,000.00
Total
$158,000.00
Profit/Loss
$21,000.00
Pool Specifications
o 15m x 7.5m
o 1.8m deep to 1.2m deep
o Stairs with handrail shallow end
o 400mm ledge down one side for learn to swim
o Anchors for land ropes
o Temperature 32’
o Landing/viewing area approx 3 metres around the pool
o Lifter (Ex Wallaroo Hospital) to be fitted
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FIGURE 10 - POSSIBLE SITE LAYOUT
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FIGURE 11 – SIDE ELEVATION
FIGURE 12 - REAR ELEVATION
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Public Pool

A 25m undercover public pool is desirable, but is seen as the lowest
priority once all other recommendations have been completed. Research
has indicated that a pool must be enclosed and that the community must
be prepared to subsidise the operations for at least $250,000 per annum
from general rate revenue. This is seen as a longer term project and will
become more feasible with population growth.

A public pool would be ideally located at the CCSLC and should be factor
in as part of the overall site master plan. Staffing and operational costs
would be higher at an independent location and the initial capital costs
would be approximately 30% higher due to duplication of existing
services at the current centre.

That the need for a public pool be reviewed once the enclosures have
been upgraded along with adjoining water play facilities and a program
pool has been constructed. These works are estimated to take at least 5
years.
Swimming Enclosures

Moonta Bay including water play activities
$450,000

Wallaroo Option 1
$800,000

Wallaroo Option 2
$1,500,000
Program Pool

Constructed as part of CCSLC
$400,000
Public Pool

Constructed as part of CCSLC
$3,000,000
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New site
$3,900,000
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