The two 13-storey towers proposed for the first stage of Geocon’s plans for the Phillip pool site. Images: Cox Architecture.
The battle for Phillip pool appears to be over with Geocon securing approval from the Territory Planning Authority for the first stage of its redevelopment of the site.
After two DA pauses and many changes, including an amended development application lodged in August, the proposal for two 13-storey residential towers comprising 286 units on the northern end of the site of Woden’s 50 m outdoor pool can now proceed.
To meet the government’s lease requirements, the ground floor will also include a new public aquatic centre with a 25 m lap pool, as well as a café, splash pad, learn-to-swim area and outdoor water play area.
Eventually, Geocon wants to build 696 units across five towers on the site, over three stages.
The project had met vehement opposition from the Save Phillip Pool group and local MLA Fiona Carrick, who said the group was devastated at the news.
The amended DA responded to community representations and entity advice.
Geocon welcomed the approval, saying that securing the future of the ageing community facility with a contemporary aquatic centre designed for year-round community use was an important step forward for Woden.
The company said the approval reflected a significant private investment in a major community sport and recreation facility.
“We understand how important the Woden Pool has been to local families over the years and we are proud to be contributing to infrastructure that will deliver long-term benefits for residents, families and the broader community, while supporting the continued revitalisation of the Woden Town Centre,” it said.
The Phillip Aquatic Centre will be a year-round facility for community use.
The proposed Phillip Aquatic Centre will feature an eight-lane 25 m lap pool for fitness swimmers, 20 m warm water program pool with relaxation zone, dedicated facilities for families and recreation, including a toddlers’ pool, learn to swim pool, leisure pool and indoor and outdoor water play splash pads.
There will also be wellness amenities, including steam and sauna facilities, a marshalling area to support organised programs and events and an on-site café.
Geocon said these inclusions were designed to support year-round use, cater to a wide range of user groups and meet contemporary standards of aquatic facilities.
It said the pool project aligned with the ACT Government’s vision for Woden Town Centre as a vibrant, high-amenity urban hub.
Ms Carrick said the decision was based on a flawed and inadequate planning process, with no proper needs analysis or understanding of the needs of the community.
“The loss of this much-loved community facility and its green space is clearly not a good outcome for the community,” she said.
“The population of the Woden region is growing rapidly and yet community facilities continue to be diminished.
“I call on the ACT Government to commit to a new publicly-owned community aquatic centre, with a 50 metre pool, elsewhere in the Woden Town Centre.”
The Territory Planning Authority said that this stage did not affect the operation of the existing 50m swimming pool, which will be the subject of a future DA.
It said some key design matters were identified in representations and entity advice and during the Authority’s assessment.
“Conditions have been imposed to address the design related matters, such as the level of on-site amenity, visual and acoustic protection, parking, trees and clarification on the mandatory pool facilities,” the TPA said.
“Conditions were also imposed to require the Crown lease to be varied to permit the development.
“These matters were addressed in the Authority’s decision as conditions of approval and outlined further in the reasons for the decision.”
Some trees were identified as regulated trees under the Urban Forest Act 2023 but the Authority said it determined there was no reasonable alternative design to retain them.
Geocon said it was now preparing to formally release the associated residential apartments to the market, capitalising on the project’s prime Woden Town Centre location and its integration with a major new indoor aquatic facility.
“We have designed the residential apartments as part of a well-considered Woden precinct that prioritises lifestyle, long-term amenity and connectivity,” the company said.
“Future residents will benefit from a premium town centre location and the integration of high-quality recreation and lifestyle infrastructure, providing confidence in the quality and longevity of the development.”
The residential release would highlight the unique opportunity to secure housing within a precinct anchored by significant new lifestyle and recreation infrastructure.
Work is expected to start on site once all relevant approvals are in place.
The existing ice rink will continue to operate as usual and the current 50 m outdoor pool will remain operational during its normal seasonal opening days and hours, Geocon said.
