News and Events
Otium Planning Group appointed consultants for Hepburn Shire’s Aquatic Strategy
Otium Planning Group has been appointed as consultants for the Hepburn Shire Aquatic Strategy. Otium provides consultancy services in planning, facility development, management and funding for the sport, recreation and leisure industries throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific.
Over the next few months, Otium will engage with stakeholders to hear proposals and residents’ expectations for aquatic facilities in towns throughout Hepburn Shire.
Creswick Aquatic Centre Inc committee members will be puting the case for an indoor heated swimming pool with hydrotherapy facility, to be built in Creswick.
Our campaign for an indoor heated pool has been running for nine years! We have lobbied Council throughout that time to consider the merits of an aquatic centre in a town with an expanding population including young families and healthy older residents.
In 2018, Hepburn Shire Council approached Creswick & District Aquatic Centre Inc seeking support for a funding application to cover the consultancy costs for the Hepburn Shire Aquatic Strategy. Funding of $80,000 was granted in 2018. This was in addition to the $30,000 already set aside by Council to investigate aquatic facilities in Creswick specifically.
Our committee was pleased to provide a letter of support for the additional grant.
We will work closely with our local councillors to ensure the best case is put forward for an aquatic centre in Creswick.
We will be seeking the renewed support of medical and educational, aged care and local business organisations. Over the past nine years we have received tremendous support from the Creswick community.
We have no doubt that they will rally again for the cause during the imminent consultation process.
Our members have worked hard, fundraising and engaging with residents to identify their aquatic recreation and rehabilitation requirements.
We have developed a plan for a modest indoor swimming centre with hydrotherapy and lap lanes.
We are prepared to work with Council following the establishment of an indoor pool in Creswick, to assist in running the facility, including regular fundraising .
Creswick has no pool. Every other town in the Shire has a swimming pool. Daylesford has a 50m outdoor pool. $240,000 is spent annually between Trentham, Clunes and Daylesford to subsidise the running of outdoor pools. Hepburn Shire Council has an obligation to ensure each town within the Shire has similar facilities, including aquatic facilities.
It is Creswick’s turn for a major project. We need a pool.