Green costs fear on pool
THE detailed design process for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre is set to commence with the design tender awarded during the shire’s November meeting.
Surf Coast Shire Council unanimously awarded the contract to Melbourne-based Peddle Thorp Architects, for the near $40m centre incorporating an indoor heated 50m pool.
But councillor Paul Barker expressed concerns over the centre’s expenses after the adoption of the environmental sustainability facilities policy.
The policy outlines the council’s commitment to sustainable developments and ensures climate change is considered in all new facilities, renewals and upgrades while using Green Star and Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS) rating systems.
“Key policy outcomes include procuring renewable electricity supply, avoiding new gas installations, and ensuring the incorporation of circular economy and carbon neutrality considerations during design and construction,” the report adopted by councillors says.
Mr Barker said: “If this policy is implemented, I have concerns that we will be boxed into a corner on how the aquatic centre will be powered.”
He said a wide variety of options should be presented, rather than just renewables.
“I would like it to be easily visible for ratepayers what this energy will cost in comparison,” he said
Councillor Heather Wellington echoed concerns over the “lacking economic element”, but said it was a good policy.
“It seems to be clear once you set up a facility with all the renewables, the ongoing costs can be substantially reduced, but for it to be transparent to ratepayers, we need to look at costs over the life of the building,” she said. “Obviously we need to use renewables, but we need to understand the costs of that and what we will have to give up.”
Despite the concerns, the policy was adopted, with Deputy Mayor Liz Pattison saying it was up to the council to pave the way for sustainability.
“We have to be representatives to demonstrate environment leadership for the community,” she said.
Community members will have the opportunity to comment on the design of the aquatic centre as it takes shape in 2022.
A community reference group will provide input during the design stages, which are estimated to take a year, with construction forecast to begin by May 2023 and be competed in mid-2025.