The Masterplan is a high-level document which provided an indicative layout of the spaces and amenities. We have spent the past few months refining the masterplan. This has resulted in a redesign which produces a more practical layout while still meeting the same level of community needs.

One of the biggest changes is the location of the indoor pool. In the Masterplan, the indoor pool was proposed to be located on the southern end of the facility. This created user convenience issues as patrons would have had to get changed in the amenities building, walk in the open, and then enter the indoor pool. This would be unpleasant in bad weather and on cold days. The decision to propose the indoor pool in the new northern location will not only allow for an improved user experience but also greater passive surveillance from the reception area.

Another proposed change is the amenities building. The Masterplan had proposed a new amenities building, while the Draft Concept Plan proposes to retrofit the existing building instead. Further investigations determined that the location of the existing building provides better supervision opportunities across the whole facility, and therefore relocating the amenities building would not be the best option.

The amenities building will be significantly updated into a modern facility with proposed upgrades including a new lift that will take visitors from the carpark entrance level to a new ground-floor reception area, as well as accessible toilets and change room facilities.

Through the Master Planning process, the clear preference of the Epping community was for Council to prioritise the aquatic works component of the Dence Park Masterplan. Council is reflecting this community preference by prioritising the following:

• A renovated and expanded pool amenities building
• A new 8-lane 50 metre outdoor pool with access ramp
• A new 25 metre indoor pool with access ramp
• Accessibility improvements
• Associated pool pumps, filtration and other aquatic infrastructure
• Subject to future funding: water play and picnic amenities
• Subject to future funding: Café (serving light meals), indoor fitness/gym space and other relevant community facilities

The current concept plan has made provisions for a lift, at-grade access from the car park, a new reception area, staff room, accessible toilets, change facilities, first aid room and pump room. There will also be provisions made for possible future uses such as a café or gym.

The indoor pool will be used for a variety of programs such as aqua-aerobics, lap swimming, lane walking and learn to swim classes. The proposed pool has also been designed to allow for better passive surveillance and improved safety of pool users.

While the Draft Concept Plan for Epping Pool includes water play facilities and picnic amenities, unfortunately Council does not have enough funds within the current project budget to construct these elements at this stage. We are actively looking for additional funding sources so that we can deliver these elements in the near future.

Regardless, we still would like to receive community feedback on these elements in this current consultation period so that when additional funding is secured, we can proceed to detailed design and construction of the water splash and play area and picnic facilities as soon as possible.

The Epping Pool Draft Concept Plan proposes a future shallow toddler wading pool, as well as a water splash and play area. While these two elements will be built subject to future funding, the plumbing infrastructure will be strategically installed as part of stage one construction works to minimise future disturbance and excavation.

There is currently a funding shortfall which prevents Council from including the toddler wading pool, water splash and play area, café, or gym. Council proposes to meet the funding shortfall through methods including savings from refining the design, applying for relevant grant opportunities, and seeking additional internal capital funding.

The community raised a number of considerations during the exhibition of the draft Dence Park Masterplan in November 2019. While many of these were detailed questions that were outside of the scope of the masterplan, they will be addressed as part of the environmental assessment and development approvals process when this is undertaken as part of the Dence Park Implementation Plan.

These considerations include heritage, protection of native flora and fauna, wider ecology and biodiversity, bushfires, flooding, stormwater flows, architectural design, waste and other environmental pollution concerns, as well as construction management.

Based on what Council currently knows about the site conditions and constraints, construction of Epping Pool is likely to begin in late 2022. More information will be made available as we get closer to this date.

We wish to minimise disruptions on the community as much as is possible, however the majority of funding for Epping Pool comes from a State Government Grant which requires that the money be spent by June 2022. As such, we must start the design and construction works now in order to meet this timeframe. Epping Pool will remain open until construction begins, which based on currently known information about the site conditions and constraints, is likely in late 2022.

The Dence Park Masterplan is a strategic document to guide the improvement of the park over the next 10-15 years.

The Dence Park Masterplan Implementation Plan provides a clear and strict cost-controlled pathway to delivering the priority works in the master plan. The Implementation Plan divides the priority works in the masterplan into packages of work, identifies a timeline and allocates a total budget towards the project.

A community focused, recreation hub with swimming pool facilities that engages a wide variety of users, whilst retaining and enhancing the site's unique natural setting.

The Dence Park Masterplan proposes the following improvement works:

• Redevelopment of Epping Pool, including a new 8-lane rebuilt 50m pool, at-grade access, new amenities building, new spectator seating, new 25m indoor pool, and new water play facilities
• Creating new formal passive recreational spaces including picnic facilities, gardens and seating
• Creating new active recreational spaces, including a new playground
• Upgrading associated park ancillary facilities, including car parking, pedestrian pathways, amenities building as well as bushland conservation
• Staged redevelopment of the Epping Creative Centre to improve accessibility and provide more space

Following consultation on the Epping Pool Draft Concept Plan, there will be a statutory exhibition period when the Development Application for the works is lodged for assessment. Currently, Council anticipates that this Development Application will be lodged in September 2021.