79990

Campaspe Shire Council has announced a $5 million contribution towards aquatic facilities to replace the flood-demolished Rochester District War Memorial Pool while also calling on the next Australian Government to provide urgent funding and support for aquatic infrastructure, both locally and nationally as part of their ‘Advocating for a Brighter Tomorrow’ federal election advocacy campaign.

Campaspe Shire Council notes “Australia is a water-loving nation, and aquatic facilities play a critical role in our communities. Not only for the health, safety and fitness benefits they provide to residents but also because they are a central hub for community gathering and connection.

“That’s why we’re asking for federal funds towards a new aquatic facility to replace the Rochester pool, destroyed in the October 2022 flood event.

“In the wake of hundreds of public swimming pools across Australia nearing the end of their functional life, we’re also seeking the establishment of a national program for aquatic infrastructure to ensure that all citizens continue to have access to these vital facilities."

In March last year, Royal Life Saving Australia expressed its fears that as many as 500 public swimming pools will close within 10 years without significant and sustained investment.

Building on its past studies, new research from Royal Life Saving estimated that 68% of community swimming pools are aged over 50 years, and that $8 billion is needed to refurbish, upgrade, or rebuild them.

Explaining the critical state of the nation's aquatic facilities RJ Houston, Royal Life Saving’s General Manager - Capability & Industry advised “it is much more than rusted and broken pipes, cracks in pool tiles, and porous concrete, many older pools are leaking significant amounts of water, leading to increased costs, environmental damage and concerns about water quality and safety.”

Local government shoulders the greatest burden, with many now unable to meet the upgrade costs without financial assistance from State and Federal governments.

Royal Life Saving research highlights:

• The average Australian public pool was built in 1968
• 500 (40%) of public pools will reach the end of their functional lifespan by 2030
• $8 billion is needed to replace those 500 aging public pools
• A further $3 billion will be needed to replace facilities ending their lifespan by 2035
• Pools generate $9.1 billion annually in social, health, and economic benefits
• There are over 333 million visits to public pools each year

Royal Life Saving noted that many community pools are facing multiple threats - changing demographics, lack of local government resources, increasing energy and building costs, as well as the impacts of a changing climate.

With local governments contributing 64% of all funding for aquatic facilities, Houston is aware that regional councils are particularly vulnerable and often face the dilemma of pool closures.

Related Articles

21st April 2025 - Royal Life Saving Australia announces 2025 collaboration with National Sports Convention

20th April 2025 - Media report reveals rising costs and ongoing delays with redevelopments at Sydney aquatic centres

19th April 2025 - Royal Life Saving and Live Performance Australia welcome party’s election commitments

17th March 2025 - Royal Life Saving advises of 349 aquatic facilities impacted by ex-Cyclone Alfred

13th March 2025 - Melton City Council invites feedback to inform their aquatic facility strategy

11th March 2025 - Proposed Port Macquarie Aquatic Facility denied Federal Government funding

28th February 2025 - Royal Life Saving research shows millions of Australians missing out on access to public pools

26th February 2025 - Campaspe Shire Council launches new Visitor Servicing Strategy

20th January 2025 - Shire of Campaspe launches SPARK Arts and Cultural Grants Program

6th January 2025 - Royal Life Saving to stage symposium on future of aquatic facilities

26th June 2024 - Otium Planning Group engaged to develop Cairns Aquatic Facilities Strategy

27th May 2024 - The Y Northern Territory appointed to manage City of Darwin aquatic facilities

21st March 2024 - Council commits to Aquatic strategy for future of Campaspe facilities

19th January 2024 - Commercial pool equipment repurposed for sustainability of aquatic facilities

10th January 2023 - Campaspe Shire Council invites community feedback on draft Victoria Park Master Plan

23rd September 2022 - Campaspe Shire Council introduces free pool entry policy for summer

13th September 2022 - Northern Territory’s ageing Palmerston Swimming and Fitness Centre to be transformed

29th July 2022 - Ageing infrastructure results in the permanent closure of Eagleby Aquatic Centre

1st July 2022 - City of Canterbury Bankstown to sacrifice ageing Wran Leisure Centre

26th March 2022 - Rockhampton Regional Council commits to redevelopment of ageing Mount Morgan Aquatic Centre

25th July 2019 - Leakage leads to closure of ageing Sydney swimming pool

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.