Hornsby Aquatic Centre
Address: 203 Pacific Highway, Hornsby NSW 2077
Hornsby Aquatic Centre, which was built in 1962, reached the end of its safe working life and closed in December 2010.
Update - March 2012
Hornsby Shire Council is delighted that the JRPP (Joint Regional Planning Panel) has unanimously supported Hornsby Council's plans for a new aquatic centre.
We look forward to commencing works to construct this much needed facility as soon as possible.
Further consideration will be given to the permanent access for the facility.
For further information, contact Raymond Huzij on 9847 6902.
Planning Panel Meeting Minutes
Update - December 2011
The public exhibition of the Development Application (DA) for Hornsby Aquatic Centre has now closed.
See our Flickr gallery of the proposed Hornsby Aquatic Centre
The key features of the proposed centre include:
- A heated, eight lane 50-metre outdoor pool suitable for lap swimming and water polo
- Outdoor seating for 500 spectators with provision for temporary seating for a further 300 spectators
- A heated, 10-metre by 25-metre indoor pool for learn-to-swim activities
- A heated leisure pool with zero-depth entry leading to a walking zone
- A ground floor multi-purpose room suitable for crèche purposes
- Changing and showering facilities with separate spaces for families and groups
- A kiosk accessible from inside the centre and from Hornsby Park
- A meeting room for use by the Country Women’s Association if desired
- A first floor multi-purpose room for dry recreation and club activities
- Office space for the operation and administration of Council’s aquatic centres
- Parking for more than 100 vehicles
- Two lifts to provide access to all levels of the complex for people with a disability
The DA is currently being assessed by an independent planner. The application has received support from the Hornsby Shire Heritage Committee. The NSW Government’s Joint Regional Planning Panel is expected to make a decision on the DA in early 2012.
You can still download the main plans and site analysis:
To view all application documents, go to Council's Development Application Enquiry system and search for DA 1129/2011.
Analysis of options for vehicle access
Council has considered numerous different options for how vehicle access can be provided to the new aquatic centre carpark.
The options were the subject of a report considered by Council at the Ordinary meeting on 21 September 2011. Access via Dural Street, Old Mans Valley, Hornsby TAFE and the northern end of Hornsby Park were analysed in detail, with estimated costs given for each alternative. Access via Bridge Street was also discussed and rejected due to cost constraints.
Council has also prepared a report analysing the option to provide vehicle access via a loop road as proposed in the media in November 2011. Council has determined that the loop road proposal would increase costs for the aquatic centre project by approximately $2.2 million.
>> Read more about Council's analysis of the loop road proposal
The Councillors have resolved that providing vehicle access via Coronation Street is the most appropriate option in terms of amenity, traffic, road safety, cost and the heritage of the park.
Documents and reports - vehicle access
Report analysing the loop road proposal - December 2011 (42.7kb)
Map and cross sections of loop road proposal - December 2011 (852kb)
Ordinary meeting report - 21 September 2011 (118kb)
Report attachment 1 - Correspondence from Division of Crown Lands (1.24mb)
Report attachment 2 - Access Options 1-7 - Plans (6.45mb)
Report attachment 3 - Access Options 1-7 - Cross sections (410kb)
Report attachment 4 - Intersection and road network plans (392kb)
Community input about the future of Hornsby Aquatic Centre
Residents of Hornsby Shire were asked to provide input about what matters to them in the new Hornsby Aquatic Centre in two public information sessions held on 15 and 19 March. For more information about what was covered in these sessions, download the following documents:
- Hornsby Aquatic Centre - Overview of Key Design Issues - 60kb
- Hornsby Aquatic Centre - Public Information Session Presentation - 1.5MB
- Hornsby Aquatic Centre - Public Information Session Presentation Questions and Answers - 118kb
Deliberative Forum
Council has now completed the Deliberative Forums where 38 interested Hornsby residents spent two consecutive Saturdays (2nd and 9th April 2011) considering the design issues for the proposed new Hornsby Aquatic Centre. They discussed and agreed on design selection criteria that best meets the needs of all of the community and have made a recommendation on the preferred design option to be put forward to the Mayor and Councillors for consideration at the next Council Workshop meeting on 27 April, 2011. There was overwhelming support for a 50 metre outdoor pool. Download:
- Deliberative Forum 1 - Presentation - 1.2MB
- Deliberative Forum 1 - Identified Criteria - 64kb
- Deliberative Forum 2 - Presentation - 1.4MB
Final Report
The final report by Twyfords on the community consultation for the new Hornsby Aquatic Centre is now available to download:
Subscribe to Hornsby Aquatic Centre enewsletter
To receive updates and news on Hornsby Aquatic Centre, subscribe to our enewsletter.
Past issues:
- May 2011 progress update
- April 2011 progress update
- March 2011 progress update
- January 2011 progress update
Frequently asked questions
Why has Council decided to close Hornsby Aquatic Centre?
The pool has been closed for safety reasons.
On Wednesday 1 December 2010, Council reluctantly made the decision to close Hornsby Aquatic Centre after considering advice received from its specialist engineering consultant who recommended that the pool be closed no later than 30 August 2011. Council decided to close the pool promptly (on Friday 24 December 2010) to ensure the safety of pool users.
How is the pool unsafe?
Hornsby Aquatic Centre was built in 1962. The structural integrity of the concrete structure supporting the pool has been closely monitored by Council over several decades. Experienced engineering consultant Professor SL Bakoss has also conducted regular inspections of the pool since 1993.
In his most recent assessment, conducted in November 2010, Professor Bakoss found that the condition of the structure supporting the pool was continuing to decline and the risks associated with the safe operation of the pool could no longer be reliably predicted, nor could repairs be undertaken to address those risks.
Why didn’t Council give patrons more notice about the closure?
We apologise for the short notice, but safety comes first.
On Wednesday 1 December 2010, Council resolved to close Hornsby Aquatic Centre after considering advice received from its specialist engineering consultant who, in November 2010, recommended that the pool be closed no later than 30 August 2011.
We believe it is prudent for the pool to be closed promptly to ensure the safety of pool users and staff.
For this reason, we were unable to give patrons more notice about the imminent closure of the pool.
The closure date of Friday 24 December 2010 was chosen as learn to swim lessons and squad training had concluded for the year.
Why did Council decide to close the pool in December 2010 and not in August 2011 as recommended by the engineer?
With the warmer months approaching and the anticipated increase in patronage, Council could not guarantee that the structure was safe enough to support the additional volume of patrons that would visit the centre.
Professor Bakoss advised that it was not possible to load test the structure to determine its remaining life. He said that the risks to the safe operation of the facility could no longer be adequately mitigated or reliably predicted, and he recommended that the operation of the pool be terminated no later than 30 August 2011. Professor Bakoss’ reports have been predicated on normal day-to-day usage of the centre rather than large events.
In the interest of public safety, we made the decision to close the centre in December 2010.
How is Council assisting pool users?
Any person who is enrolled in learn to swim classes or has a multi-use pass will be entitled to a full refund for their remaining sessions or can use Epping or Galston Aquatic Centres. The opening hours for Galston Aquatic Centre have been extended until Easter 2011. For more information, please see the Galston Aquatic Centre webpage.
Council has prepared a list of alternative swimming pools in Hornsby Shire and surrounding areas. We understand that residents may now have to travel further to swim and we apologise for the inconvenience.
There are a limited number of learn to swim vacancies at Council’s aquatic centres in Galston and Epping. Interested participants should contact the centres directly for further details of these vacancies (Epping: 9876 5945; Galston: 9651 2393).
Swim clubs who used Hornsby Pool have been invited to use Epping and Galston Pools as alternatives.
Council contacted schools that have swimming carnivals scheduled for February 2011 to advise them of the closure. Epping Aquatic Centre will be made available for twilight carnivals as an alternative. Some smaller schools may find the Galston Centre appropriate for their needs. Council understands that many local schools have been able to make alternative arrangements for their swimming carnivals.
Swim coaching was provided at Hornsby Aquatic Centre through a commercial arrangement. Aquabliss Swim Coaching operation were advised of Council’s decision as soon as it decided to close the pool.
Is Council planning to build a new pool?
Yes. Council plans to construct a new centre on the Hornsby Aquatic Centre site, and has recently appointed an architect to develop plans for a new aquatic centre. We are currently (March-April 2011) consulting with the community and are asking for your input. For more information, please see above.
How would a new pool be funded?
We estimate the cost of replacing the pool will be about $20 million. In October, Hornsby Shire Council resolved to apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal for approval to charge higher rates to fund additional services and facilities.
Council plans to fund the new pool through the additional funds received through the rates increase. Council will know the outcome of its application by July 2011.
For more information on the rate increase, please visit future.hornsby.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 9847 6747.
When will a new pool open?
We will continue to expedite the finalisation of the design and construction for the replacement of the aquatic centre.
The opening date for the new pool will be contingent upon a number of factors including the design and planning process, the time it takes to process the development application through the Joint Regional Planning Panel (a requirement of the State Government) and the construction period, which will not be determined until a contractor has been selected through a tender process. At this stage, a construction period of 18 months could be anticipated.
Council will be doing everything it can to fast-track the replacement of the pool.
What will the new pool look like?
Council recently appointed an architect to develop plans for a new aquatic centre. At this stage it is too early to advise what the pool might look like and what features it might have. We are currently (March-April 2011) consulting with the community and are asking for your input. For more information, please see above.
Couldn’t Council just repair the pool to keep it open?
No. The pool has reached the end of its life.
Council has undertaken extensive repair and remediation works over the last decade to extend the life of the pool. A new pool liner was installed in 2001 to halt the passage of water from the pool into the concrete structure. Repairs to the grandstand were undertaken in 2004. Temporary scaffolding was also installed under the pool in key locations to provide further support.
Despite these efforts, the condition of the structure supporting the pool continued to decline, and the rate of deterioration was not able to be predicted. Repairs can no longer be undertaken to address these risks.
Does Council have a plan in place to replace the pool?
Council has been planning to replace the pool for some time, but our expert engineering consultants have reported that the life of the pool has shortened as a result of the ongoing rapid deterioration of the structure.
In July 2008, Council received a report indicating that it should consider closing the pool by 30 June 2012.
Upon receiving the advice, Council commenced planning for the replacement of the pool. Given the large cost of designing and constructing a new pool (estimated to be $20 million), Council determined that, rather than cutting core services to fund the construction, it was appropriate to apply for an additional rates levy (a rates increase) for the project.
In late 2009, we widely consulted with residents about our proposal to increase rates to fund three major infrastructure projects, including the replacement of the pool. Council’s best-practice consultation indicated residents were supportive of the proposed rates increase.
In June 2010, Council’s rate increase application was rejected by the Minister for Local Government, Barbara Perry, with little explanation for her decision. This decision meant that Council’s plans to replace the pool could not be progressed. However, Council has continued to plan for the pool’s replacement, and has appointed an architect to develop options for a replacement complex.
In October, Council resolved to once again apply for permission to increase rates. From 2011, applications for rate increases will now be considered by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, rather than the Minister.
We have again consulted with residents and are preparing a comprehensive business case for our rates increase application.
Why were schools not given greater notice of the closure?
Schools were advised as soon as possible after Council had made its decision. It was not possible to give greater notice because Council did not know until after it received the consultant engineer’s latest report that it would have to consider the closure of the centre at such short notice.
Can I see the plans for the new pool?
As soon as the concept plans have been prepared, Council will be seeking feedback from the community and the groups that will use the facility.
Is Council aware of how inconvenient it is not to have access to the pool at Hornsby?
Yes. Council regrets that greater notice of the closure was not able to be given. It is inevitable that there will be a period of extended closure, and Council is working towards the construction of a new facility at the earliest possible time.
Where else can I go to swim?
Council operates swim centres at Epping and Galston. In addition, Carlile Swimming provides lane space for public swimming at its Cherrybrook facility. The netted tidal pool at Brooklyn is also a great place to cool off.
Where can I view the minutes from the Planning Panel meeting?
The Planning Panel meeting minutes can be viewed as a PDF below:
