With the cost of energy consumption at its Manly Andrew 'Boy' Charlton Aquatic Centre rising towards a million dollars a year, Sydney’s Northern Beaches Council has released a ‘Request for Quotation’ for qualified parties to undertake and energy audit and decarbonisation strategy the facility.
Impacted, like many aquatic facility operators and owners, particularly rising costs for gas, the Council advise that its “has committed to achieving net zero emissions in its operations by 2045 and aspires to achieve this by 2030”.
However, it points out that its “largest energy using site is Manly Andrew Boy Charlton Aquatic Centre”, with documents showing that the facility, which was redeveloped in 2016, had total energy usage of $804,520 in the 2021/22 financial year.
Given that 2021/22 included a period of forced Covid shutdown from July to late September 2021, and then limited opening until mid-October, it can be drawn that energy costs in a full
Mindful of the energy usage of the Centre - which includes several heated pools, a gym, café and other facilities - Northern Beaches Council completed an energy audit of the site in 2019 and has since implemented two actions to reduce electricity usage.
These have included the installation of a 265kw solar PV system and variable speed pool pumps. While the 2019 audit did not include opportunities to transition away from gas, the Council secured a 100% renewable electricity power purchase agreement (PPA) in 2021 which significantly reduced its emissions associated with electricity and delivered substantial cost savings.
In its Request for Quotation, the Council advise “it is anticipated that the proposed decarbonisation actions may recommend the replacement of the existing 3 gas boilers and 2 cogeneration (cogen) units”, noting that it “will require assistance from a suitably qualified consultant to prepare the technical specifications for the design works suitable to be included in a Request for Tender”.
Issuing the Request for Quotation (RFQ) on 28th February 2023, Northern Beaches Council is conducting site visits of the Centre on Friday 17th March 2023 with the RFQ closing at 2pm on Thursday 23rd March 2023.
The Council advise that the appointed consultant should commence work within seven days of notice of appointment with work to commence in April.
Those wishing to attend the site visit should register their your attendance by emailing bronwyn.neal@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au by 3pm on Thursday 16th March 2023.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring for a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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