WATTLE Range Council has formally started plans to privatise the Penola Swimming Pool after calling for expressions of interest for its lease.
Following recent upgrades of the aquatic facility, council is now considering the privatisation of its management.
The council has recently invited expressions of interest from companies to manage both facilities, as well as the Nangwarry Swimming Pool and the Millicent Swimming Lake.
Expressions of interest are also being sought for the management of the Penola, Kalangadoo, Southend and Beachport wastewater schemes.
At present, council staff operate and maintain the seven waste and swimming sites, using a mix of full time and casual seasonal staff.
According to the promotional material, council wishes to determine if this is the most effective approach going forward and is seeking expressions of interest from interested parties for one or more of the services.
There is no fixed view or predetermined outcome, with interested parties able to nominate full or part time operation, swimming facilities only, community wastewater management scheme only, both swimming and wastewater management, or the supervision of swimming facilities.
Council may enter into a contract for services with one or more parties.
The length of the contract is open to negotiation, however no proposals will be considered in excess of 10 years.
Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll said it might be possible for council to achieve cost savings and efficiencies if the swimming and waste facilities were privatised.
“It is about seeing what is out there,” Mr Noll said.
“I commend council staff for looking at the best ways to manage council facilities.”
A briefing session will be held in Millicent on July 25.
