Background information

Council is currently exploring changing the management model of our two Aqualink facilities from an in-house model to an external contract management model.

We're exploring this change to ensure we can continue delivering a high customer service standard and provide quality and diverse programs. We want to ensure our leisure services are accessible to all and meet community needs now and in the future.

2024

  • Council invited suitably qualified and experienced organisations to submit an Expression of Interest for the management of the Learn to Swim programs at Council’s Aqualink facilities. The respondents could express interest in managing either facility or both.
  • Each submission underwent an extensive evaluation process in line with Council's Procurement Policy.
  • The two existing providers Nunawading Swimming Club for Aqualink Nunawading and Surrey Park Swimming Club for Aqualink Box Hill are now the preferred respondents for the Learn to Swim contract(s).
  • At the Council Meeting on Monday 17 February, Council authorised the CEO to proceed with negotiating the outstanding terms and execute the contract documents for the preferred respondents Nunawading Swimming Club and Surrey Park Swimming Club.
  • The outcome of the EOI will ensure an uplift in customer experience, program quality, innovation and financial outcomes, all of which were identified as part of the evaluation criteria.

2025

  • Now that the Learn to Swim EOI is almost complete, Council will continue to prepare for a tender process for the remaining services.
  • The public tender process for the facility management contract will invite external management companies to submit a proposal to manage our Aqualink facilities from July 2026 onwards (dates are subject to change).
  • Once we receive proposals from management companies, Council will consider them and decide on the next steps. Any decisions made by Council will incorporate our community’s needs and preferences for the services and programs offered at our Aqualink centres.

To find out more, read our FAQs.


Engagement - what we heard from the community

Thank you to the 2,500 who participated in our engagement program which sought feedback on the programs and services offered at our Aqualink facilities. This engagement closed on Friday 1 March 2024.

During March 2024, in collaboration with our external consultant, we held focus group sessions and pop-up stalls across all our leisure sites to ensure we captured various views and feedback.

The downloadable engagement summary highlights the input and feedback shared by the participants, including the engagement program’s background, purpose, and key findings.

Following our extensive community engagement process we have evolved the procurement plan in response to the feedback received.

As part of the procurement plan, Council went out to market with an Expression of Interest (EOI) to run the Learn to Swim program at Aqualink Box Hill and/or the Learn to Swim program Aqualink Nunawading.


Learn to Swim (EOI)

We invited suitably experienced providers to express their interest to manage the Aqualink Learn to Swim programs in August 2024.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) process encompassed the management of the Learn to Swim programs at Aqualink Box Hill and/or Aqualink Nunawading.

The Learn to Swim programs have a combined enrolment of approximately 5,700 students (Term 1, 2024).

The process commenced on Thursday 15 August and closed on 12 September 2024. It is expected that the contract will start on 1 July 2025.