NOOSA AQUATICS CENTRE UPGRADE PLAN AND NOOSA AQUATICS FACILITIES STRATEGIC PLAN · Attachment 2 Noosa Aquatic Facilities Strategic Plan 2026-2036

NETWORK SWOT ANALYSIS
The following SWOT analysis provides an overview of the key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing the current
Noosa Shire aquatic facilities network.

            STRENGTHS                                                                         WEAKNESSES
            ● Almost all Noosa Shire residents live within a 15 minute                        ● All aquatic facilities in the network predate
                drive of a public aquatic facility, ensuring strong geographic                    universal design standards and lack appropriate
                access across the Shire                                                           accessibility elements, limiting inclusion for people
            ●   One regional centre (the NAC) supported by three local                            with disabilities or mobility challenges
                DoE pools (Tewantin, Cooroy and Pomona) provides a                            ●   The network relies heavily on the NAC as the single
                tiered network that matches population size and density                           regional facility, with school-based pools offering
                and aligns with Council’s established aquatic facility                            supplementary community use before and after
                hierarchy                                                                         school
            ●   The NAC’s role as the Shire’s primary aquatic facility                        ●   The NAC site is at capacity and constrained by its
                enables targeted investment, high utilisation and delivery                        current footprint, limiting expansion and restricting
                of programs and amenities beyond smaller pools and                                growth in utilisation during peak periods




                                                                                 WEAKNESSES
                private operators
STRENGTHS




                                                                                              ●   School-based pools have ageing infrastructure and
            ●   The NAC demonstrates strong financial performance                                 provide limited public access restricted to outside
                and utilisation, outperforming national benchmarks and                            school hours
                effectively serving as the network’s primary facility                         ●   Current Council financial support for lessee-
            ●   Council’s in-house management of the NAC enables a high-                          managed pools has not kept pace with operational
                quality user experience, strong community connection,                             costs, posing threats to long-term viability for
                consistently high maintenance standards and ongoing                               operators
                financial sustainability                                                      ●   Historical usage data for school pools and splash
            ●   Pools across the network are established social hubs,                             park facilities is inconsistent, limiting network-wide
                providing physical, mental and social health benefits,                            planning accuracy
                particularly for older residents                                              ●   Gym and wellness spaces within aquatic facilities
            ●   Facilities support a range of social activities and                               are undersized, and storage and shade are
                competitive programs, including learn-to-swim, lap                                insufficient
                swimming, squads, aqua aerobics, wellness and                                 ●   Schools and DoE are not resourced or required
                rehabilitation                                                                    to upgrade facilities to meet contemporary
            ●   Contemporary tripartite MOUs between Council, DoE                                 community standards or broader public access
                schools and pool lessees create structured partnerships                           needs, limiting their ability to function as fit for
                that are improving water safety delivery and operational                          purpose community assets
                coordination
                                                                                                             NOOSA SHIRE COUNCIL | AQUATIC FACILITIES STRATEGIC PLAN 2026-2036 | 17