Community, Liveability, Sport and Recreation
Community, Liveability, Sport and Recreation have been given a boost in Council’s budget in a year that sees three new pools opened and the region’s third consecutive NRL game.
Handed down today, Bundaberg Regional Council’s 2024-25 budget is taking a considered approach to current and ongoing projects.
Community, Liveability, Sport and Recreation portfolio spokesperson Cr Carmen McEneany said the spotlight would be on the delivery of the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre in early 2025 with a renewed focus on responding to the sentiment of residents.
“We realise bigger projects and events have a large expense attached to them and we are listening to the concerns of the community,” she said.
“Moving forward, this Council is committed to being open and transparent about big-ticket projects while working to make sure the benefits of such items are felt throughout the whole community.
“Three new pools will be opened to our community this financial year to meet a host of sport, recreation and wellbeing needs from rehabilitation and learn to swim to high level competition and elite sports.
“The facility’s focus on accessibility will ensure it is a facility for all.”
She said Council was in the process of engaging a manager to run the facility.
“The tender process is in progress with shortlisted candidates and the ongoing operational costs won’t be finalised until this process is complete in the second half of 2024,” Cr McEneany said.
“While there is a lot of community discussion at the moment about the fact that the full cost of the aquatic centre has only recently been released, it is everyone’s responsibility to put the facility to its best use when it opens in early 2025.
“The Aquatic Centre is going to be our region’s next great asset and I’m looking forward to seeing everything it will provide for our growing community.”
Cr McEneany said the sport and recreation benefits in this year’s budget continued beyond the poolside, with another NRL clash between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Dolphins to delight footy fans.
“As part of a three-year agreement, Bundaberg’s Salter Oval will host its third Bulldogs match on Saturday 17 August,” she said.
“This event will be a boost for the local economy and gives local fans a chance to see a national competition played right here in their hometown without the added cost of travel.
“Last year the game garnered a huge amount of support with more than 5430 tickets sold and with an additional 200 staff, services and volunteers involved in the operations of the event.”
Cr McEneany said the Round 24 game was expected to generate the same positive outcomes.
View the full Bundaberg Regional Council 2024-25 budget document online.
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