Public pools and road renewals head draft plan

More than $4 million will be invested in rebuilding and upgrading public swimming pools at Balaklava and Owen, two major projects highlighted in Wakefield Regional Council’s draft annual community plan for 2021/22, released for public comment last week.

These projects will be supported by at least 50 per cent grant funding, secured through separate State Government grant streams.

The $3.2M flagship project will transform the Balaklava Swimming Pool into a ‘pool for all’ – a regional aquatic recreation hub with brand new 25m, eight-lane lap pool, with disability access and a new splash pad activity area for the younger children.

Grant funding of $410,470 through South Australia’s Office for Recreation, Sport & Racing Regional Facilities Program, will be matched by Council to renew the Owen pool at a total cost of $820,940.

“These facilities have met the end of their usable lifespan and require significant investment to continue operating as recreational outlets in our community,” WRC CEO, Andrew MacDonald said.

“Council consulted with the pool communities, who outlined the value of these pools in their respective areas and as a result, Council has secured grant funds to help deliver these vital upgrades.”
Once again, improving local road quality emerges as a key target for the coming financial year.

Council’s sealed and unsealed road network was estimated as at July 1 2020 to have a combined renewal backlog of $16.34M and the aim is to significantly reduce the existing backlog to $4.75M by 2030.
In 2021/22, Council proposes to renew 65.3km of unsealed roads and 8.14km of sealed roads at a total cost of $3.86M.

About $275,000 is proposed to be allocated to continue addressing the roadside vegetation backlog and to ensure ongoing proactive roadside vegetation maintenance.

A targeted clearance approach will be launched in 2021/22 to address known problem areas by engaging road users in a ‘hot spot identification program’.

Following Council’s decision to take ownership of roads and infrastructure in Townsvale Estate, Balaklava, Council proposes to invest $306,300 for new stormwater infrastructure and $183,780 for the construction of Dale Street.

Under an agreement, Council accepted ownership of the roads and committed to progressively upgrade those assets, while five vacant blocks of low-lying land within the development will be transferred to Council ownership at no cost, to be used for stormwater and flood mitigation and provide a public nature reserve.

Other projects outlined include the masterplan process at Port Wakefield to improve the township as both a residential opportunity and an attraction for tourists and visitors, and the completion of $1.6M upgrades of the main streets in Hamley Bridge and Balaklava.

“Wakefield 2030 tells us that there is much to do to ensure our region is positioned for future growth and prosperity,” Mr MacDonald said.

“The year ahead will see Council strengthen its focus on economic development as it strives towards the community’s vision for Wakefield: A great place to do business and a great place to belong.”

Work will continue on the development of Council’s new depot located on Gwy Terrace with the installation of a four-bay shed to accommodate parks and gardens, signage, chemicals and CWMS, along with development of a dog pound, aggregate bays, bunded fuel station and green house at a cost of approximately $500,000.

For the 2021/22 Financial Year, it is proposed to increase total rates collected by five per cent.

This includes a 2 per cent cost increase, forecast development growth of 0.5 per cent and a sustainability factor of 2.5 per cent, which is necessary to fund additional maintenance and renewal requirements to close asset backlogs.

WRC Mayor, Rodney Reid, said the annual rate increase for individual properties will vary depending on the valuation change for that property, which is provided independently by the Valuer General.
Copies of the plan will not only be published online but also available in post offices around the Council area and from the Council office in Balaklava.

Copies of the plan will not only be published online but also available in post offices around the Council area and from the Council office in Balaklava.