Sport and Recreation Minister Yvette Berry says the government has listened to the community. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
Construction of a new outdoor pool in Woden could realistically begin by the end of 2028, according to Sport and Recreation Minister Yvette Berry, made possible by an expected turnaround in the ACT’s budget position.
Ms Berry was taking questions after this morning’s announcement (29 January) that the ACT Government will build a new 50-metre outdoor pool in Woden and investigate sites for an ACT diving facility as part of a new Aquatic Strategy.
Pressure has been building on the government for months over its plans for the Canberra Aquatic Centre in Commonwealth Park, which will replace the Canberra Olympic Pool in Civic to enable the development of the Convention and Entertainment Precinct, and a suitable facility to replace the Phillip pool, which Geocon will redevelop into high-rise apartments.
Ms Berry said the government hoped to select a site for the new Woden pool within 12 months – the timeframe for development of the Aquatic Strategy.
Once the site was identified, the actual build could start at the end of 2028.
Ms Berry dismissed questions about the timeframe and funding, saying that important budget decisions were being made now so these kinds of facilities could be funded in the future.
“The ACT Government has been having some fiscal challenges; however, there are negotiations coming to completion with the Federal Government, which should see some relief for the ACT Government going forward.”
Ms Berry said several sites were being considered, including Eddison Park.
She rejected claims that a new Woden pool would compete with Geocon’s public 25-metre pool, saying they served different purposes and would attract different users.
Independent Murrumbidgee MLA Fiona Carrick says the commitment is a big win for the community. Photo: Supplied.
The announcement fulfils a Labor election promise to consider a new Woden outdoor pool.
It also comes as a new petition is launched, calling on the government to include diving and deep-water facilities in the new Commonwealth Park aquatic centre.
While it says the constraints of the Commonwealth Park site will not allow deep‑water dive facilities to be included, the government has decided to investigate options for competition and recreation dive facilities at another location.
This work will consider user needs, potential locations and planning requirements.
Independent MLA Fiona Carrick said the commitments were a big win for the community, particularly the advocates of the Save Phillip Pool campaign and the tireless work of members from Friends of Civic Pool and Save Big Splash.
Ms Carrick said that some residents would be disappointed by the loss of the existing Phillip pool site, but a new site offers the potential for modern, accessible, and expanded facilities that better meet the needs of all users.
“To maintain community trust, it is essential that the ACT Government progresses this commitment in a timely and transparent way, from consultation through to the development of a fully costed and endorsed Aquatic Strategy, along with a comprehensive plan that meets the needs of residents who will rely on Woden’s aquatic facilities,” she said.
Canberra Olympic Pool will make way for the proposed Convention and Entertainment Precinct. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
Save Civic Pool’s Dr Louise Watson said the announcement seemed like policy on the run, and the group’s preferred option remained to retain and upgrade the current site in the city.
Dr Watson said the government had been looking at dive pool sites for three years, so why should anyone expect something to happen in the next three years?
Ms Berry said there may be a gap between when the Civic pool closed and when a new dive pool facility can be built, due to the facility’s complex physical requirements, the need to find a suitable site, and the cost, which could be up to $80 million.
Save Big Splash welcomed the announcement of a broader pool strategy for Canberra, but the future of the Macquarie site remained clouded.
“The community has made its voice clear – the petition launched less than 48 hours ago has already gathered more than 1500 signatures from Canberrans who value this facility,” the group said
The petition calls on the ACT Government to terminate the Crown lease to restore public control over the site and commit to the redevelopment of the site with an aquatic facility at its heart, consisting of a 50-metre outdoor public swimming pool, open lawns and family-friendly water slides.
The government says the new Aquatic Strategy will cover the provision of competition and recreation dive facilities, including the use of these facilities for other deep‑water aquatic sports such as underwater rugby and water polo, and the need for new pools in growth areas of Canberra, such as West Belconnen.
The operational and maintenance standards at existing government pools will also be reviewed.
The government says the strategy will be developed over the coming 12 months, engaging aquatic user groups, sporting organisations, community members and key stakeholders.
The government also released the consultation report for the new Canberra Aquatic Centre to be located at Commonwealth Park.
The government says the findings will inform early design decisions alongside cost, feasibility, and site constraints, with the goal of delivering the optimal mix of features within the available $137.8 million budget.
Expressions of Interest for an Early Contractor Involvement partner for the new aquatic centre close soon, with a contractor to be appointed in the coming months.
This partnership will advance design work and help shape the business case for government consideration later this year.
Construction is expected to begin in 2027, subject to final design and planning approvals.
Last year, the ACT Government flagged that it was developing a new Aquatic Strategy to provide clear direction on future aquatic investment priorities across Canberra.
Ms Berry said today’s announcement should not come as a surprise, given Mr Barr’s commitment at the 2024 election and her discussions with stakeholders last year, and that the government had listened to the community.
