Campaspe Shire Council has endorsed the final Rochester Aquatic Facility Design. Pictured is a render of the facility by Jasmax.
The $12.9 million final design for the new Rochester Aquatic Facility was unanimously endorsed by Campaspe Shire Council at its most recent meeting.
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On Tuesday, December 9, a recommendation to support the design and continue advocating for funding passed the chamber, making the project “shovel-ready”.
Cr Paul Jarman acknowledged that all councillors involved understood it had been a journey to see the final design, beginning with conversations following the 2022 floods.
“It hasn’t always been an easy conversation, but the core belief is that Rochy needs a pool,” he said.
Developed in tandem with the community, the design includes a 25m pool with family-friendly water play, a kiosk and social seating, accessible amenities and landscaped open space.
The separate water play area will also be able to be accessed outside pool season opening hours.
The design incorporates flood-resistant infrastructure and enhanced safety features, and supporting infrastructure that will enable the addition of a splash park if extra funding is secured.
Outdoor areas and a kiosk rendered in the facility’s final design. Picture: Jasmax/Campaspe Shire Council.
In April, council committed $5 million to the facility, with the further $7.9 million budgeted for the facility yet to be raised.
“We definitely need help and recognition from the state and federal governments in relation to the pool,” Cr Jarman said.
“By any stretch of the imagination, this pool is not over the top. It has been seen as a project that needs to be realistic in its expectations for the community.”
Community feedback formally began in 2023, including online surveys, drop-in sessions, stakeholder interviews and a resident-led project reference group.
Over 150 people attended in-person sessions, and 582 surveys were completed, which found strong support for a 25m pool and provisions for a possible future splash park.
Mayor Daniel Mackrell said the project reflected the Rochester community’s vision.
“This is a design shaped by Rochester’s voice,” he said.
“It delivers what residents told us they need ― a safe, welcoming space for physical and mental health, wellbeing and social connection.”
Modern health and safety standards have ratcheted up the price of the pool, requiring intensified advocacy from the council prior to next year’s state election.
Cr Jarman noted that the endorsement was not a guarantee for a pool, but the project milestone made it suitable to attract funding.
“The justification of the third-largest town in Campaspe Shire to get its pool has been a long journey, and the community’s been patient,” he said.
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