Figure B1 shows the different types of operational models used at audited councils.
Figure B1
Operational models used in audited council aquatic recreation centres
|
Council |
Operational model |
Aquatic recreation centre |
|---|---|---|
|
Glen Eira City Council |
The Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) regulates public aquatic facilities in Victoria. DHHS issued the Pool Operators Handbook in 2000 with support from Aquatic Recreation Victoria, and revised it in 2008. The handbook provides comprehensive details of the applicable legislation around aquatic facilities, including:
Council aquatic recreation centres (ARC) provide important health, wellbeing and social benefits to the community and require significant investment and ongoing council support to maintain. As a result, councils must ensure that they are well planned in order to maximise social outcomes and minimise costs.
Councils must effectively engage with the community on existing and future aquatic recreation centre (ARC) developments to determine whether facilities meet current and future community needs. Councils also need to evaluate their services to determine whether they are achieving their strategic objectives. Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV) provides support to councils' ARC developments through grants and the provision of facility development advice.
Aquatic recreation centres (ARC) are diverse active social spaces that contribute to local economies, and provide job and income opportunities. Council ARCs provide important health, wellbeing and social benefits to the community.
Aquatic recreation centres (ARC) are diverse active social spaces that contribute to local economies, and provide job and income opportunities. They have developed beyond being basic pools to incorporate water play areas, hydrotherapy and attached gym facilities offering fitness classes. Childcare facilities are also sometimes co-located with modern ARCs. While these additions can make facilities more attractive to customers, they also increase building and maintenance costs. The relatively low return on investment means the private sector has limited interest in this area.
|
Dr Peter Frost Acting Auditor-General |
Audit team Andrew Evans—Engagement Leader Sheraz Siddiqui—Team Leader Sophie Fisher—Analyst Engagement Quality Control Reviewer Kyley Daykin |
Dear Presiding Officers
Under the provisions of section 16AB of the Audit Act 1994, I transmit my report on the audit Local Government Service Delivery: Recreational Facilities.
This audit assessed whether councils effectively identify community needs for recreational facilities and services, whether council planning decisions for aquatic recreation centres are soundly based and whether councils are maximising value from these facilities.
The audited councils effectively engage with their communities and have a sound understanding of their needs relating to aquatic recreational centres (ARCs). This informs planning for ARC redevelopments and the establishment of new facilities.