Enhancing Regional Community Health and Wellbeing through Public Private Partnerships

Financing, developing and operating aquatic and recreation facilities is a financial and operational minefield for local council. Opportunities to partnering with Private Enterprise to deliver critical health and wellbeing facilities in regional communities is now, more than ever, becoming a reality.

“There is true value in public private partnerships when aligned vision and values are realised.”

If we think about the future of funding arrangements for community aquatic and recreation facilities, there is a complete reliance on community funds to see a project come to fruition. Whilst many of the large metropolitan areas across Australia have a population and catchment which can support the completion of some of the largest facilities in the world, it is the regional communities of Australia who are missing out on access to facilities which have a significant impact on community lifestyle, health and wellbeing. There has been significant research conducted on the social, health and wellbeing outcomes produced by aquatic, sport and recreation facilities, yet many regional communities struggle to commit to these projects.

ActiveXchange is Australia’s leading data analytics group specifically targeting the sport and recreation industry. Through their research they have uncovered some amazing data-driven results which support the economic and health benefits of aquatic, sport and recreation facilities, particularly in regional communities.

James Ellender, ActiveXchange CEO explains; “Whilst operating models are often seen as burden’s to rate payers, ActiveXchange’s Aquatic and Leisure Social Value Model** provides a data driven, scientific evidence-based approach to understanding the community health and economic benefits by the community reaching the individual physical activity guidelines in leisure centres through programs and services delivered. A recent review of regional facilities demonstrated that high performing facilities generate on average in excess of $2.1M in annual acute, chronic and drowning prevention community savings. A well designed, operated and supported facility could expect significant community health benefits through a unique collaboration to get people more active.”

Given the social and economic benefits aquatic and recreation facilities bring to communities, it only makes sense to explore validated options on how regional communities can bring these facilities to fruition. With rising living costs and tightening of government spending on infrastructure across the country, there is a real opportunity for local government to explore partnerships with private enterprise to see critical infrastructure strategically provided to their communities.

Jacob Scott from ZenDev has embarked on a 3-year journey to support a regional council realise their vision of a local community aquatic and recreation facility.

“There is true value in public private partnerships when aligned vision and values are realised". "A community project such as a commercial aquatic and recreation facility can take many years and hundreds of thousands of dollars of community funds to just do the feasibility, we have designed a partnership program which can expedite this process and allow communities access to aquatic and recreation spaces quicker, cheaper and more efficient than a traditional public process” Jacob explains.

Conceptual Drawing of the Proposed ZenDev Aquatic Centre Development in Boyne Island

Credit - ZenDev

Taking the approach of partnering with council and community, aligning vision and values will provide a positive business case for regional councils. Obviously, there are hurdles or challenges whenever a business model disrupts and industry or pushes against the normal process, however, local government have a real opportunity to explore business cases where private funding can be used strategically to enhance the services provided to their communities. This, however, is not done without collaboration and effective communication. It is understood council and government have strict probity processes in place to ensure accountability and transparency across all business activity, which is an essential part of effective management practice, however, the interpretation of the process needs to allow for public and private organisations to talk openly for the betterment of the community.

Whilst Public Private Partnerships are not a new initiative in other adjacent markets, we typically find it a complex process when discussions are held around aquatic, sport and recreation facilities. Whether this is due to these assets being seen as a critical community obligation cost for councils or more of a badge of political success is open for debate, however, regardless of why historical process restricts Private enterprise partnering with local council in this specific market, there are real opportunities to create bustling Lifestyle, Health and Wellbeing space alongside private enterprise.

The Boyne Island Project by ZenDev is a perfect example of how a private developer has created a sustainable business model to enhance the lives of a local community. It is not a secret that any development by private enterprise must be financially viable, therefore, ZenDev identified a real opportunity to partner with council to not only produce a world class aquatic and recreation facility but has created a vision to build a precinct which would be the catalyst for tourism, health and wellbeing across the region.

Conceptual outlook of the community designed lagoon pool and water slides on the ZenDev proposed development

Credit - ZenDev

“We strongly believe the Boyne Island Region has the capability to become a flagship tourist destination along the central coast of Queensland. There are already reasons to visit Boyne Island including the Boyne Tannum Hookup as Australia’s largest family fishing event and the beautiful coastline which runs along our East Coast”. “We created a concept of an entire precinct based on an aligned vision with the community”. “We took the time to invest in understanding the community wants and needs and made our business model work in line with those goals and objectives”. We believe as developers; we have an opportunity not only to make profits but to enhance the lives of the communities we work in. The Boyne Island Aquatic Centre is a perfect example of how we want to partner with local council to deliver on their community visions” says Jacob.

Conceptual drawings of the tourism and wellbeing precinct proposed by ZenDev

Credit - ZenDev

James from ActiveXchange adds, “The Boyne Island Aquatic Centre is a significant opportunity to look at alternative models focussed on equitable access to physical activity to improve community health and wellbeing. What we know through our data analysis on over 4 million active Australians across community Leisure and Sport, coupled with local infrastructure and household consumer data, is that regional communities are 4 times more likely to be inactive”.

ActiveXchange data - Risk of inactivity score across parts of Australia

Credit ActiveXchange

However, without open and transparent communication between private enterprise and local council, these types of opportunities will not be possible. Councils need to explore beyond their horizons and local borders to understand there are developers and private enterprise with a passion for their communities and looking to provide facilities which meet the needs of their constituents. It would be remiss to suggest all developers are the same and understand the need for caution, however, ZenDev have proven their intent is in the best interest of the community, and I am confident there are other private enterprise willing to invest in the long-term success of regional communities across our beautiful country.

Regional communities are entitled to the same comforts and facilities as larger metropolitan areas. Where local council are unable to provide critical assets for their community these types of opportunities are knocking. Open the doors, do the due diligence and potentially there is a positive outcome for all.