We're planning to build a public warm water pool for exercise, treatment, swim lessons and general use, complemented by a private wellness centre at Brighton Golf Course.

In 2022, Council resolved to build a public warm water pool at Brighton Golf Course, following a first phase of community consultation, which showed strong overall support for the proposal - read this feedback under the Phase 1: Support for proposals tab.

In Setpember - October 2023, we asked our community what they thought about the concept designs for the warm water pool. The information below summarises feedback received, which will inform the detailed design of the facility.

Community and stakeholder feedback is essential to help Council progress with the project, and inform the design, management and use of any future facility.

This section summarises feedback on the proposed concept designs for the public warm water pool. We’ll use this feedback to inform the detailed design of the facility.

We’ve summarised feedback below, or you can download the complete engagement summary report.

What we asked

We gathered feedback on:

• the draft concept design, proposed layout, and external treatments
• preferred services offered by allied health professionals
• perceived benefits and challenges or concerns about each of the proposals
• proposed opening hours
• programming of the facility.

We wanted to understand the views of key target user groups of the new facility, including older adults; persons and carers of persons with disability, chronic illness, or medical condition; and parents or carers of children under 12 years old.

We also sought to engage with key stakeholders near the proposed facility, including neighbouring residents and Brighton Golf Course members and users.

What you told us

• Participants (82.5%) said they Loved or Liked the proposed exterior concept designs, with few (10%) expressing dislike.
• Participants like the modern design, flowing lines, colours, and texture; large windows, views and natural light; general design and low profile and easy access to the golf course.
• A small number expressed concerns about the overall facility or dislike for particular aspects of the concept (such as bulk, colours, deep fascia, glass, and grass spaces).
• Nearby residents advocated for additional parking at the site and guarantees the design will consider the flood overlay.
• Clear desire to socialise following warm water therapy and preference for a small café (rather than a kiosk) with a viewing area for carers and parents.
• A drop-off zone had strong support with an undercover walkway from the accessible car parking bays.
• Some concerns about the moveable floor – relating mainly to cost and practicality.
• Most participants (56%) preferred Physiotherapy services others. Around a third said they will not use allied health services.
• Highest anticipated use is likely between 9am and 3pm on both weekdays (96.7%) and weekends (93%).

What we’re doing

We’ve revised the concept plan in response to feedback to accommodate the needs of the community better and ensure enhanced usability.

High value has been placed on the social connection opportunities offered by a facility of this type, with feedback emphatically suggesting that the kiosk/cafe is more clearly highlighted on the plans.

In the amended concept design, the Pro Shop and café space is consolidated, with the Pro Shop limited to a maximum of 120m2, a marginal increase from the current Pro Shop. These two spaces' configurations will be considered part of the schematic design, along with opportunities to maximise surveillance of the pool from the café.

We’ve also included an expansive roof canopy and drop-off zone in the revised design to ensure participants and their carer can access the building via a covered drop-off point. Drop-off zones for public transport have also been included.

The changerooms have been reconfigured to ensure that high-needs changerooms service both program pools.

The community did not generally support a moveable floor component, and while its removal will restrict the flexibility of the pools as fixed depths will be required, this element is proposed to be removed.

Next steps

Council considered this report on community and stakeholder feedback and endorsed a revised concept plan at its 21 November 2023 meeting and unanimously resolved to progress the project to schematic design and the planning permit process.

The revised design ensures a larger café area for socialisation and to maximise surveillance of the pool, as well as an expansive roof canopy and drop-off zone to access the building under cover.

Thank you to everyone who provided their feedback on the concept designs.

Please select the +subscribe button at the top of this page to receive updates about this project.

To understand if either of the Warm Water Pool and Wellness Centre proposals should proceed, in early 2022 we asked our community if they would use either facility, preferred services and facilities, what they saw as the benefits and challenges and their overall level of support.

What we asked

We wanted to understand if community members were likely to use a public warm water pool at Brighton Golf Course, which programs and services were of interest, what they saw as the benefits and challenges of the proposal and their overall level of support.

What we asked

We wanted to understand if community members were likely to use a private wellness centre at Brighton Golf Course, which services/facilities were of interest, what they saw as the benefits and challenges of the proposal and their overall level of support.