The body charged with overseeing the Fleurieu Aquatic Centre will hand oversight back to Alexandrina Council and the City of Victor Harbor.

The Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre (FRAC) Authority was established in 2015 as a joint subsidiary of the two councils to deliver and manage the multi-million-dollar facility.

Elected members of both councils have been questioning the increasing costs of running the  aquatic centre and last year the Authority instigated a comprehensive review of the facility’s governance structure.

It identified an opportunity to realise significant efficiencies by handing oversight to the constituent councils without impacting day-to-day operations.

FRAC Authority chair Steve Mathewson says with the much-loved community facility in its eighth year of operation, the timing was right to look at the governance structure.

“There is no denying the Fleurieu Aquatic Centre is a valuable community asset. 

“Since opening to the community in 2017, the aquatic centre has welcomed well over a million visitors to the facility and provided South Coast communities with social value in the order of $3.2 million in 2022/23.” 

“The Authority Board is extremely proud to have been integral to the facility’s development, and we hand back oversight to the constituent councils knowing they will continue building on the strong foundation we have built.”

Alexandrina Council Chief Executive Officer Nigel Morris says that after considering a range of options, the constituent councils resolved to continue operations of the Fleurieu Aquatic Centre under a Joint Venture Agreement.

“Now the heavy lifting has been done by the Authority in getting the facility established, the councils are in a position to take on an oversight role. 

“This will see efficiencies achieved through the reduction in extensive legislative resource requirements, and thus enable the councils and management provider, YMCA, to focus directly on running the well-utilised facility.

“A Joint Venture Agreement to manage the Aquatic Centre will appropriately draw on the skills and resources that already exist within our councils to continue to oversee the facility.”

City of Victor Harbor Chief Executive Officer Victoria MacKirdy says the changes will not make any difference to day-to-day users of the facility.

“There will be no disruption to services at the Aquatic Centre. YMCA will continue to deliver all services and programs as per usual.

“Alexandrina Council and the City of Victor Harbor have always benefited from a strong collaborative relationship. 

“The winding up of the subsidiary and commencement of a Joint Venture Agreement shows our continuing efforts to work in the best interests of our neighbouring communities.”

The council chiefs jointly acknowledged the board members and executive staff who have served the Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre Authority since 2015 and played an important role in shaping the success of the aquatic centre.

“The regional subsidiary has served the needs of member councils and the community well, and we would like to thank members of the FRACA Board, Audit and Risk Committee and Executive Officers for their service and commitment over this time.”

As per standard processes to wind up a subsidiary, a request was submitted to the Minister for Local Government and was subsequently approved.

The winding up will take effect following the publication of formal notice by the Minister for Local Government. This is expected to occur in August 2024.