Gannawarra Aquatic Strategy revised, project funding to be sought

Published on 02 July 2024

Gannawarra Shire Council will seek funding from the State and/or Federal governments to undertake detailed designs and business cases for aquatic projects planned for Cohuna and Kerang.

Councillors approved a revised version of the Gannawarra Aquatic Strategy at its June 2024 meeting.

The changes follow on from a recommendation adopted at the May 2024 Council Meeting that requested for Council Officers to prepare a report to bring a revision of the Gannawarra Aquatic Strategy to the June 2024 Council meeting to reconsider timing in relation to the delivery of the Cohuna and Kerang Aquatic facilities.

“Developed following an extensive community engagement campaign, the Gannawarra Aquatic Strategy outlines an innovative approach to the delivery of aquatics within the Gannawarra, including future needs of both indoor and outdoor facilities,” Mayor Ross Stanton said.

Council has allocated $80,000 from its 2024/2025 Budget to develop concept designs for the construction the following aquatic facilities and/or improvements outlined in the strategy:

• Construction of a new outdoor pool facility at Cohuna across from Garden Park, with specific location and layout to be determined once geotechnical and native vegetation assessments have been completed. This facility will include a main, intermediate and toddler pool, splash park and waterslide, new changerooms and kiosk and scope for a deck area overlooking Gunbower Creek.
• Improvements to the Kerang Swimming Pool, including the installation of a pool ramp and wet deck to enable all-ability access. New swim club rooms and changerooms will be constructed to meet current accessibility and user comfort standards.
• Development of a hydrotherapy pool at Kerang’s Sir John Gorton precinct, which would replace the ageing Kerang Exercise Pool. This pool would support rehabilitation and learn to swim programs and provide all-ability access.

“Council will seek external funding to undertake detailed structural designs and business cases for the three identified projects across the two precincts in Kerang and Cohuna, noting these costs have been estimated at over $1 million.” Mayor Stanton said.

“Detailed designs and business cases are required to enable the Council to seek State or Federal Government funding for construction of these facilities in the future.”