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Waterworld Future Planning

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Consultation has concluded

Coundil decision/outcomes

A consultant was engaged by Council to undertake community engagement and provide a high-level concept plan including costings for the future planning of Waterworld.

The work undertaken to date has included an assessment of how the current precinct functions looking at uses, and a focus on the long-term options for Waterworld including the provision of an indoor facility. Consultation activities included surveys and workshops conducted with existing users of Waterworld, Elected Members and operators of Waterworld.

At its meeting on Tuesday 12 September 2023, Council considered the feedback received and the concept plan investigations and made the decision that options for expanding Waterworld to include additional indoor facilities, at this point in time, do not represent value for money and the costs outweigh the benefits.

Council made the decision to retain the current site as the location of Waterworld and endorsed the Waterworld Concept Plan to focus on recommended improvements to the precinct including:

  • Upgraded 50m pool
  • Upgraded 25m pool
  • Upgraded splash pad
  • Pedestrian and vehicle movement infrastructure (i.e. paths and car parking)
  • New changerooms and general amenity.

Assessments will be undertaken to determine the priorities of the above improvements and costings will be updated for consideration as part of the 2024-25 draft capital works program.

Read the Community Engagement summary and high-level concept plan report

Read the Council report and minutes for the Council meeting noted above

Background

We are inviting our community to share their ideas and let us know what features, experiences and services they would love to see at Waterworld into the future.

Waterworld has provided fun, family memories and fitness to residents and visitors to the City of Tea Tree Gully for over 50 years. Each year around 160,000 people enjoy this outdoor pool environment over its seven month open season, which has a mixture of flat and sloping grassed areas and trees, pool and shade structures, a splash pad, three water slides, gazebos, a café, party areas and seating.

Waterworld’s last major upgrade was over 10 years ago and while a number of improvements were made, the main pool structures and most of the main administration building are ageing 52 year old infrastructure. We also need to make sure Waterworld’s facilities, such as the changerooms, meet appropriate standards for inclusive use.

We are now looking to develop a long-term plan for the future of Waterworld, and would like to hear from our community about what their preferences are for the future design of this facility.

Community feedback will be used to help us prepare a basic concept plan and high level costings.

By developing a long-term plan and vision for Waterworld we will make sure this facility will cater for the diverse needs of our community of all ages, for many years to come.

Easy Read information about this project and consultation is also available


To get involved and have your say:

  • Register here (if you haven't already, otherwise you can sign in when prompted)
  • Complete the survey to provide feedback about how you currently use Waterworld and what you'd like to see in the future
  • Provide ideas and suggestions on the 'Ideas Wall'. You can also comment and 'vote' on other people's ideas (click on the heart symbol)
  • Have a question? Have a look below and see what questions have already been asked, or ask us here

All feedback received will be presented to Council for consideration before any further decisions are made about future plans for Waterworld.

If you need assistance to participate in this consultation, please call us on 8397 7444 or send us a message

Coundil decision/outcomes

A consultant was engaged by Council to undertake community engagement and provide a high-level concept plan including costings for the future planning of Waterworld.

The work undertaken to date has included an assessment of how the current precinct functions looking at uses, and a focus on the long-term options for Waterworld including the provision of an indoor facility. Consultation activities included surveys and workshops conducted with existing users of Waterworld, Elected Members and operators of Waterworld.

At its meeting on Tuesday 12 September 2023, Council considered the feedback received and the concept plan investigations and made the decision that options for expanding Waterworld to include additional indoor facilities, at this point in time, do not represent value for money and the costs outweigh the benefits.

Council made the decision to retain the current site as the location of Waterworld and endorsed the Waterworld Concept Plan to focus on recommended improvements to the precinct including:

  • Upgraded 50m pool
  • Upgraded 25m pool
  • Upgraded splash pad
  • Pedestrian and vehicle movement infrastructure (i.e. paths and car parking)
  • New changerooms and general amenity.

Assessments will be undertaken to determine the priorities of the above improvements and costings will be updated for consideration as part of the 2024-25 draft capital works program.

Read the Community Engagement summary and high-level concept plan report

Read the Council report and minutes for the Council meeting noted above

Background

We are inviting our community to share their ideas and let us know what features, experiences and services they would love to see at Waterworld into the future.

Waterworld has provided fun, family memories and fitness to residents and visitors to the City of Tea Tree Gully for over 50 years. Each year around 160,000 people enjoy this outdoor pool environment over its seven month open season, which has a mixture of flat and sloping grassed areas and trees, pool and shade structures, a splash pad, three water slides, gazebos, a café, party areas and seating.

Waterworld’s last major upgrade was over 10 years ago and while a number of improvements were made, the main pool structures and most of the main administration building are ageing 52 year old infrastructure. We also need to make sure Waterworld’s facilities, such as the changerooms, meet appropriate standards for inclusive use.

We are now looking to develop a long-term plan for the future of Waterworld, and would like to hear from our community about what their preferences are for the future design of this facility.

Community feedback will be used to help us prepare a basic concept plan and high level costings.

By developing a long-term plan and vision for Waterworld we will make sure this facility will cater for the diverse needs of our community of all ages, for many years to come.

Easy Read information about this project and consultation is also available


To get involved and have your say:

  • Register here (if you haven't already, otherwise you can sign in when prompted)
  • Complete the survey to provide feedback about how you currently use Waterworld and what you'd like to see in the future
  • Provide ideas and suggestions on the 'Ideas Wall'. You can also comment and 'vote' on other people's ideas (click on the heart symbol)
  • Have a question? Have a look below and see what questions have already been asked, or ask us here

All feedback received will be presented to Council for consideration before any further decisions are made about future plans for Waterworld.

If you need assistance to participate in this consultation, please call us on 8397 7444 or send us a message

Consultation has concluded

Ask us a question about the Waterworld Future Planning project and we'll get back to you. Questions and answers will also be published on this website.

Note: please do not send questions here that are not relevant to this proposal. Questions about general Council matters please contact Customer Service

  • Share Re: "We also need to make sure Waterworld’s facilities, such as the changerooms, meet appropriate standards for inclusive use." Can you explain what you mean by "meet appropriate standards for inclusive use" and how might any project address these standards? Thanks in advance on Facebook Share Re: "We also need to make sure Waterworld’s facilities, such as the changerooms, meet appropriate standards for inclusive use." Can you explain what you mean by "meet appropriate standards for inclusive use" and how might any project address these standards? Thanks in advance on Twitter Share Re: "We also need to make sure Waterworld’s facilities, such as the changerooms, meet appropriate standards for inclusive use." Can you explain what you mean by "meet appropriate standards for inclusive use" and how might any project address these standards? Thanks in advance on Linkedin Email Re: "We also need to make sure Waterworld’s facilities, such as the changerooms, meet appropriate standards for inclusive use." Can you explain what you mean by "meet appropriate standards for inclusive use" and how might any project address these standards? Thanks in advance link

    Re: "We also need to make sure Waterworld’s facilities, such as the changerooms, meet appropriate standards for inclusive use." Can you explain what you mean by "meet appropriate standards for inclusive use" and how might any project address these standards? Thanks in advance

    Russell asked over 2 years ago

    Good morning Russell, 

    A very good question. Inclusive and accessible design features can relate to many aspects of a facility including (among others) how persons enter the pool (ie. access ramps), counter/servery bench heights, type and size of family change rooms, unisex baby or adult change areas, signage type and language, seating provisions, doorway widths and more. In specific reference to appropriate standards for inclusive use changeroom/toilet facilities the proposed design should incorporate provision for a range of toilets including standard, unisex accessible and toilets for ambulant people. For example, accessible toilets are required to provide enough space to accommodate a wheelchair user and assistance person with sufficient turning circle as per Australian Standard 1428.1. 

    The City of Tea Tree Gully also has an endorsed Disability Access and Inclusion Plan which includes advocating for higher standards for inclusion (beyond compliance) and universal design. Council is committed to following ‘universal design’ principles, which guide the design of environments to minimise access difficulties and be inclusive to as many people as possible. (FB)



  • Share Are you going to install a rail/bar at the deep end. I asked pre-Covid and was advised that it would be looked into. Not all swimmers can turn underwater but still like to swim (which is impossible in 25m pool as groups stand and chat) on Facebook Share Are you going to install a rail/bar at the deep end. I asked pre-Covid and was advised that it would be looked into. Not all swimmers can turn underwater but still like to swim (which is impossible in 25m pool as groups stand and chat) on Twitter Share Are you going to install a rail/bar at the deep end. I asked pre-Covid and was advised that it would be looked into. Not all swimmers can turn underwater but still like to swim (which is impossible in 25m pool as groups stand and chat) on Linkedin Email Are you going to install a rail/bar at the deep end. I asked pre-Covid and was advised that it would be looked into. Not all swimmers can turn underwater but still like to swim (which is impossible in 25m pool as groups stand and chat) link

    Are you going to install a rail/bar at the deep end. I asked pre-Covid and was advised that it would be looked into. Not all swimmers can turn underwater but still like to swim (which is impossible in 25m pool as groups stand and chat)

    Shiron asked over 2 years ago

    Hi Shiron, 

    Thank you for your question. Unfortunately there are currently no plans to install a permanent rail/bar at the deep end of the main pool. Your request may however form part of your feedback / survey response for consideration in the future plan for Waterworld. (FB)

  • Share Is the re-developed Waterworld allowed to have a larger foot print than the existing arena? on Facebook Share Is the re-developed Waterworld allowed to have a larger foot print than the existing arena? on Twitter Share Is the re-developed Waterworld allowed to have a larger foot print than the existing arena? on Linkedin Email Is the re-developed Waterworld allowed to have a larger foot print than the existing arena? link

    Is the re-developed Waterworld allowed to have a larger foot print than the existing arena?

    Shane Mawson asked over 2 years ago

    Hi Shane, 

    Thank you for your question. Feedback received as part of the consultation process will determine what is included in the future plan for Waterworld and this will also guide the footprint for a future facility. (FB)  

  • Share Is there any possibility o f an indoor section for winter use on Facebook Share Is there any possibility o f an indoor section for winter use on Twitter Share Is there any possibility o f an indoor section for winter use on Linkedin Email Is there any possibility o f an indoor section for winter use link

    Is there any possibility o f an indoor section for winter use

    Valerie Baverstock asked over 2 years ago

    Good morning Valerie, 

    Thank you for your question. All suggestions are welcome, including views on the the future plan being an indoor or outdoor facility or combination of both. (FB)