Public consultation shapes Rockpool future

More than 1,500 submissions are set to guide the future redevelopment of Townsville’s iconic Rockpool with Townsville City Council engaging Place Design Group and Liquid Blu to complete a preliminary design to assist in gaining external funding.

Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said going to public consultation on the critical project that had the potential to rejuvenate the northern end of the Strand was vital to future proof the region.

“We know how loved the Rockpool is, just last weekend we saw hundreds of people enjoy Townsville’s biggest pool party DRIFT as part of the North Australian Festival of Arts,” Cr Greaney said.

“But with the public facility nearing 60 years old we decided it was time to work towards a refresh, which is why we went out to the public to have their say on what they wanted to see.

“To say the community were enthusiastic about the Rockpool and what they thought should replace the facility in the coming years, would be an understatement.

“The public consultation had just over 1,500 respondents - people with great ideas and insights into what the area should look like.”

Councillor Greaney said almost three quarters (72%) of all who participated in the public consultation enjoyed using the Rockpool, but there were ways people listed would make it more enjoyable and increase usage.

“While more than two-thirds of people visit the Strand on a weekly basis or more, when it came to swimming in the Rockpool almost two-thirds of the same respondents only swam in the Rockpool monthly or less, so there’s definitely ways we think can increase its usage,” she said.

“There was a notable sentiment around the factors that come with the Rockpool utilising filtered sea water, like silt build up and naturally occurring algae which can make the bottom slimy.”

Councillor Greaney said a common response shared was a dislike for the seawater and called on the future of the Rockpool to include a clear-water lagoon, similar to those at Riverway, in Cairns, Airlie Beach or Brisbane’s Southbank, as well as the need for more shade.

“While the idea to use filtered sea water was probably ahead of its time when the Rockpool was constructed in 1968, today the majority of people want to be able to see the bottom and know what’s under the surface,” Cr Greaney said.

“Salt water filtration can be quite costly, as is the weekly clean of the Rockpool which takes Council staff a day to complete and can sometimes see up to a tonne of silt removed that makes its way in from the ocean during rough conditions. So the future designs will include a clear-water option which will also save ratepayers when it comes to costly maintenance.

“We’ll also be taking into account the community’s desire for more shaded options, especially given Queensland’s reputation as the sun cancer capital of the country.”

Councillor Greaney said the community’s feedback was provided to Place Design Group and Liquid Blu to be fed into the new designs of what the future space could look like.

“We genuinely appreciate and take on board the feedback shared through this consultation,” Cr Greaney said.

“The design will take into account what our community want to see rejuvenate the northern end of the Strand in years to come, whether that be the Rockpool itself, or the surrounding amenities.

“Once the preliminary design is complete, we will go back out to the community for feedback and then use the design to seek funding from other levels of Government to bring the project to life.”

The Rockpool consultation report can be found on the Have Your Say website.