14 Sept 2007 - Cost Workshop Carried Out On Surf Titles
NSW Premier's Department officials and representatives of the Department of Lands, Surf Life Saving Australia and Council have carried out a Value Management Workshop to consider the most cost-effective way to deliver the infrastructure needed to host the Australian Surf Life Saving Championship.
The objective of the workshop was to ensure value for money for funds invested in new infrastructure to service Boambee Beach, and included a review of the form and standard of the works plus a critical review of cost estimates.
"The workshop was very worthwhile and resulted in a number of recommendations for the 'fine tuning' of the infrastructure cost estimates which will be investigated over the coming weeks," said Stephen Sawtell, Council's General Manager.
"The overall aim was to ensure that the facilities put in place for the Championship will provide a top-class sporting venue for future events and a lasting benefit for the community of Coffs Harbour," he said.
The primary infrastructure items considered at the workshop included new and upgraded roads, a bridge over the rail line at Howard Street, amenities blocks, a tourist park, car park and hard stand, water and sewer provision, a cycleway and communications.
The Australian Surf Life Saving Championship - one of the largest multi-disciplinary events in the world - will bring major economic and sporting benefits to the Coffs Coast region.
"It is estimated that, over three years, the event would generate in excess of 144,000 visitor nights. This equates to a net economic benefit for the Mid North Coast region of around $30m per year and the creation of a considerable number of full-time jobs," said Mr Sawtell.
"What we're talking about is the largest annual participation-based sporting event in Australia. When the Australian Championships were held on the Gold Coast, an average of around 7,500 competitors attended. In comparison, the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006 attracted around 4,500 competitors and there were around 12,000 athletes at the Athens Olympic Games.
"With one venue, Coffs Harbour could establish a world-class sporting facility, with a permanent surf club, that would generate a significant economic boost to the city. In particular, the infrastructure that would be built would produce jobs and lead to enhanced economic activity specifically within Coffs Harbour itself," he said.
Boambee Beach has been earmarked by Council to host the Surf Life Saving Championships because of the unsuitability of the original nominated venue, Park Beach.
Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is currently considering a change to the original contract, signed in 2004, that named Park Beach as the prime site.
"Boambee Beach is a greenfield site and so any infrastructure put in place would have to be sensitive to the environment and cultural heritage areas, as well as providing a long-term facility for the residents of the Mid North Coast," said Jason Gordon, Council's Director of City Services.
"Initial investigations show that the event would need to use approximately 12.5 hectares of land in total. The majority of this is clear of areas currently mapped as 'mature dunal vegetation'.
"Any work undertaken in any sensitive areas would be subject to further investigation and environmental studies. Discussions have already been held with local environmental groups and Indigenous representatives and they would be on-going," he said.
Council is awaiting a firm commitment from the Federal and State Governments that they would share the estimated $17.2m costs of staging the Championships equally with Council. In principle support for the proposal has been gained by Council from local Federal MP Luke Hartsuyker and State Member Andrew Fraser.
Council proposes to loan-fund its contribution to the costs of providing the necessary infrastructure.
