Glen Eira Council receives $2.5 million grant to electrify GESAC

March 29, 2025

Aquatics / Environment / Recreation /

The Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre (GESAC) - one of Australia’s most popular aquatic, recreation and wellness facilities with over 4,600 visitors every day - is to be powered by fully renewable electricity following a grant under the Australian Government’s Community Energy Upgrades Fund.

The GESAC Electrification Project will transform the Centre into an industry leading facility by removing the use of gas and reducing emissions by 1,810 tonnes per year.

Advising that the electrification will improve environmental outcomes for the Glen Eira community, Glen Eira Mayor, Simone Zmood stated “we’ll be reducing our operating costs using proven and reliable technology. By transitioning such a large and complex facility from gas, we hope the project will inspire other councils, businesses and community members to make their own transition to renewables.

“This will be a milestone in the local government sector. GESAC is already an award-winning facility based on its ecologically sustainable development initiatives, building envelope, rainwater harvesting and mechanical and electrical plant initiatives.”

The Centre currently draws 85% of its total energy usage from natural gas, for pool water, space and domestic hot water heating. The remaining 15% is electricity for cooling, ventilation, lighting, pumps, valves, filters and appliances.

The $2.5 million grant will ensure that GESAC generates zero emissions, as Glen Eira City Council sources 100% of its electricity from renewables via the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO).

The electrification solution includes installing new heat pump systems, new electric cooking appliances and building upgrades, including new fan coil units and control systems.

GESAC will join Carnegie Memorial Swimming Pool as ‘all-electric’ operational facilities upon completion.

The Glen Eira community are highly motivated to take climate mitigation actions, with a survey in 2023 indicating that 78% of Glen Eira residents are committed to changing their own habits and behaviours to reduce their environmental impact.

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6th March 2025 - Blue Mountains Council secures funding to improve aquatic centre energy efficiency

28th February 2025 - Federal Government announces new round of funding to help councils upgrade energy systems

8th January 2025 - Glen Eira Council reopens redeveloped Carnegie Memorial Swimming Pool

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

13th September 2024 - AUSactive’s new ECOactive initiative aims to reduce fitness industry energy costs

16th July 2024 - Kilmore Leisure Centre transforms energy use with solar panels

19th April 2024 - Aqua Energy spotlights its venues’ swimming options during winter

29th February 2024 - First grant round opens for Community Energy Upgrades Fund

1st December 2023 - Royal Life Saving highlights opportunities for facilities through Community Energy Upgrade Fund Program

3rd October 2023 - Move to transition Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre to renewable energy

5th September 2023 - CERM PI adds new green energy usage metrics to 2023 Operational Benchmarking Survey of aquatic, recreation and sport centres

15th August 2023 - City of Fremantle commits to procuring green energy for more facilities and buildings

21st June 2023 - 3E Group helps aquatic facilities slash energy costs

16th June 2023 - Royal Life Saving welcomes new Community Energy Upgrades Fund as presenting opportunity for aquatic facilities

16th June 2023 - Councils given access to new $100 million energy efficiency fund

22nd May 2023 - Sapphire Aquatic Centre heat pump upgrade reduces carbon footprint and energy cost

16th May 2023 - Negawatt Projects to stage Melbourne and Sydney events on energy efficient aquatic centre design

6th April 2023 - Dandenong Wellbeing Centre’s energy-efficiency projections scaled back

14th December 2022 - GESAC Crowned Life Saving Victoria Pool Lifeguard Champions

21st April 2020 - Glen Eira Leisure’s online fitness hub gets international recognition

19th June 2018 - GESAC acknowledged as Fitness Australia’s First Quality Accredited Business

24th July 2016 - Glen Eira lifeguards reunited with woman they revived at pool

24th November 2014 - GESAC receives Platinum Pool Award

19th May 2014 - Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre named Australia’s best tourism and leisure development

16th May 2012 - Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre opens

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