Sunshine Coast Aquatic Plan 2011-2026 - Sunshine Coast Council

Cotton Tree Aquatic Centre, The Esplanade, Cotton Tree (council owned)
The Cotton Tree Aquatic Centre is located adjacent to prime parkland on the foreshore of
Maroochy River in Cotton Tree. The facility operates under a lease which expires in August 2021.
The facility features a 50 metre outdoor lap pool and a 25 metre covered lap pool, spray park,
enclosed program pool, traditional reception/kiosk amenities block and small crèche.
Assessment
The 2006 census 10 kilometre population catchment is estimated to be 98,977 persons. Although
this population catchment figure appears high, the aquatic needs within this area are serviced
by another council owned facility at Buderim and various other non-council owned pools in this,
and neighbouring localities. Ageing infrastructure and car parking issues associated with the
swimming pool and the adjoining caravan park and park lands represent a major impediment to
this facility’s future development. To alleviate this issue and to open up the foreshore land area,
further investigation during the life of this Plan should be given to retaining and enhancing the
leisure water components at this site, but relocating the rectangular lap and program pools from
the existing Cotton Tree site to a more central location within the Maroochydore locality.
Recommendations
Time frame
Lead/support
agent/s
Cost
estimate
Conduct feasibility study which includes community
engagement and cost benefit analysis relating to the potential
relocation of the rectangular water space from Cotton Tree
to a central location within the Maroochydore locality with
the leisure water elements being retained at the current
site to facilitate increased public foreshore play space. (It is
recommended that any relocation be timed in conjuncton with
the future cessation of any management agreement and after
the principal activity centre reaches maturity.)
Medium
Sunshine
Coast Council/
Lessees
$40,000
Sunshine Coast Aquatic Plan 2011-2026 21