Important Information
- rust removal
- balcony floor treatment
- timber protection
- door width configurations.
Where is this building?
The Goolwa Aquatic Building is located at 92 Barrage Road. It is a two storey building located on the waterfront at Goolwa. It is home to the Goolwa Aquatic Club and Bombora’s on the River on the ground floor. Level 1 (top floor) of the building is vacant.
Will a decision be made during Caretaker Period regarding the lease?
Council is currently in caretaker period until the completion of the November 2022 Council Elections. As decisions of this nature are not made during the caretaker period, the intent remains for the outcomes from this public consultation process to be presented to a yet to be determined future meeting of Council, following cessation of the caretaker period. For more information, please contact Council on 8555 7000.
Why is Level 1 of this building vacant?
Following vacate of Level 1 of the Goolwa Aquatic Building by a commercial tenant in 2020, use of the facility has been widely considered for activation strategies under either a commercial, community or tourism model with limited interest.
An Expression of Interest (EOI) process in 2020/21 was unsuccessful in securing a tenant. A direct approach to business operators followed, however these approaches have not resulted in a tenant due to the size and layout of the facility, with the added uncertainties of COVID-19 continuing to impact interest.
Who are Fulham Funerals?
Fulham Funerals by the Grant Family are a South Australian family owned and operated funeral business and a foundation member of the National Funeral Directors Association of Australia (NFDA). They have strong community values and are keen to work with and support the community as part of the activation of this building. They intend to utilise the services of the local retail community for the supply of flowers and refreshments and in addition, propose to make the facility available for a variety of community uses by general hire.
The services provided by Fulham Funerals include pre-arranged funeral meetings, funeral and memorial services and information sessions on prearranged funerals and options.
What do they want to do with Level 1 of this building?
Fulham Funerals vision is to provide the first natural waterfront ‘reflection room’ in Australia, rather than a Funeral Home. A ‘Reflection Room’ is an area that provides space for a gathering of mourners before or after a funeral service or sometimes in place of it, at a venue to eat, drink and share memories of their loved one, meditation, celebration, prayer or quiet reflection. The layout of the room and the beautiful outlook over the river is considered an ideal and calming setting for the community to farewell a loved one. The building has been utilised for this service in the past.
It is anticipated that Fulham Funerals will initially conduct one funeral per week, usually on a week day, with services increasing over time as community awareness grows.
Will it be used for crematorium services?
No. There is no intent (or infrastructure or future proposal) to operate a crematorium from this facility. Fulham Funerals have no intent of providing crematorium services at this location. They already own and operate a crematorium at another location. The use of the facility is as a reflection room.
What investment/ improvements will they make to the building?
Fulham Funerals have committed to significant investment in the Premises to meet their business needs. This would become a condition of their lease if supported. Investment is valued at approximately $75,000 and includes internal painting, flooring and audio visual/tech upgrades. This investment would significantly improve the facility for use by Fulham Funerals and ancillary hire by the community at no cost to Council.
In addition to this investment, an annual rental fee would apply (commercial in confidence).
Fulham Funerals acknowledge the sensitivity and town impacts associated with advertising signage in relation to funeral services particularly at such a prominent location in Goolwa. They have advised that signage on the outside of the building is proposed to be minimal and complimentary to its surroundings, designed with outwardly facing ‘reflection room’ messaging rather than ‘funeral home’ signage. Permitted signage would form part of the lease terms and conditions and in accordance with Development Assessment requirements as well.
The reflection room will provide complementary services rather than competitive services with the other building tenants and, maintain a focus on local business inclusion through catering, floral arrangements and staffing activities.
Fulham Funerals will be responsible for all maintenance costs associated with Level 1 during the term of the lease. Council will remain responsible for capital improvements as applicable and subject to budget.
Council is about to undertake prescheduled works to the building including:
Why is the annual rental fee not disclosed?
Council does not disclose financial details for any Council owned property looking to enter into a commercial lease. This ensures that no parties looking to do business with Council or any other entity (either currently or in the future) are advantaged or disadvantaged over its competitors.
When businesses share “commercial in confidence” information, they do so with an understanding that the information is not used to prejudice the financial position of the business that supplied it. These commercial in confidence matters will continue to be confidentially considered by Council Members.
How long is the proposed lease for?
The proposed lease is for a term of 15 years (5+5+5) to reflect the significant investment proposed in the building by Fulham Funerals and, to provide appropriate timeframes for Fulham Funerals to build the business model on the coast. The lease would be reviewed every 5 years during this term per standard leasing practices, to ensure both parties are satisfied with the delivery of the lease terms and business viability.
Will the building be available for community use?
If the lease progressed, Council would work with Fulham Funerals to structure their commitment to provide community support through venue hire options.
Why can’t Council run this building instead?
Council have considered the use of Level 1 of the Goolwa Aquatic Building on numerous occasions over the last two years and more recently, in confidence at the 16 May 2022 and 18 July 2022 Council meeting and, the 25 July 2022 and 8 August 2022 Council Briefings.
Outcomes from the 2020 EOI and subsequent conversations with business operators suggest that the first floor of the Goolwa Aquatic Building does not appeal to high-level restaurant investors in its current state and layout. Commercial use requires upfront maintenance or investment by either Council or the proposed tenant to improve the standard of the facility.
Fulham Funerals proposal provides an opportunity to negotiate a commercial tenancy in exchange for significant investment in the building at no cost to Council, resulting in an improved Council asset, a venue hire space for the community, a financial return to Council and activation of a vacant space for long-term town benefit.
The community venue hire model proposed, whereby adhoc hire would be dealt with directly between the hirer and Fulham Funerals, will remove the significant administration, resourcing and ongoing maintenance costs required by Council to operate a venue hire space, where little return would be generated. In addition, the community will have access to (and in the long term inherit), a refitted and refurnished facility with no additional monetary impacts.