Save Phillip Pool members gathered outside the Legislative Assembly ahead of their petition being lodged. Photo: Supplied/Louise Raisin.
More than 5500 people have made it known they want the ACT Government to both upgrade the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre and keep it open until new facilities are available.
A petition lodged at the Legislative Assembly today (6 May) also calls for an independent review and community consultation into the proposed high-density development in the Woden Town Centre to make sure it is “environmentally and socially sustainable”, as well as climate adaptive.
Petition sponsor and independent Murrumbidgee MLA Fiona Carrick said the plan to replace the current 50-metre outdoor pool with a public indoor facility and a 25-metre lap pool was a “matter of deep concern” to the community.
“There are too many unknowns, too many risks and not enough certainty,” she said.
“We must ask ourselves, is the loss of the Phillip public pool in the best interests of our community?”
The petition’s lodgement was supported by a sea of blue-clad supporters from Save Phillip Pool, who wore goggles around their necks while sitting in the Legislative Assembly gallery.
The DA was paused earlier this year after the Planning Authority flagged concerns.
It’s been clarified that the 25-metre pool will now be a separate unit-titled lease within the mixed-use development, as is the case with other commercial developments.
This lease is yet to be purchased by an operator, who would be responsible for all aspects of operation and maintenance, which has raised questions over whether the pool’s operating hours will be the same as other public pools.
Ms Carrick also asked if the pool would even remain public once it opened.
“What happens if the pool is not financially viable? Will the government bail it out?”
During Question Time on Tuesday (6 May), Planning Minister Chris Steel said the assurances were in the Territory Plan.
“The lease conditions regulate the opening requirements of a public pool, and that will continue, albeit in a different form to what was previously required under the [old] Territory Plan,” he said.
When pressed by Canberra Liberals Murrumbidgee MLA Ed Cocks to explain what the government would do to ensure Geocon will uphold its lease obligations, Mr Steel said that would be a matter for Access Canberra.
Two 13-storey towers have been proposed in the first stage of Geocon’s plans for the Phillip pool site. Image: Cox Architecture.
Other criticisms about the proposal include the apartment types, loss of tree canopy, traffic congestion, potential overlooking and overshadowing, whether there will be enough public parking for the pool, safety of the new Melrose Drive driveway, and lack of consultation.
“There is no opportunity for dialogue, no pre-DA consultation, no appeal rights,” Ms Carrick said.
“We can put in submissions, but it is one-way representation; the community’s views do not appear to be considered.”
Mr Cocks said while he doesn’t oppose more development in the Woden area, concerns were growing that social infrastructure was being left behind.
“People need to have homes, but we also need to make sure that we are providing the things that people need to live well,” he said.
“The Phillip pool is one of those things.”
The pool’s site was sold to property giant Geocon in December 2022, which has unveiled plans to build five towers with almost 700 residential units.
The ACT Auditor-General is investigating changes made around the requirements of the site in the Territory Plan ahead of this sale, focusing on the transparency of the administrative processes of the ACT Government agencies involved.
Geocon has now submitted its second DA for the first stage with 43 amendments. It includes a supplementary design report by Purdon Planning.
It said the proposed 25-metre lap pool, warm water program pool, indoor/outdoor water play splash pad and toddlers’ pool would deliver a “far more attractive facility” for the community.
“The new pool will form part of the broader mixed-use residential precinct to be delivered in three stages. The three stages are proposed to maintain continuity of the operation of the Phillip Pool and Ice Skating Rink,” it noted.
“Stage One will provide a new contemporary pool facility, Stage Two will be constructed over the existing pool area, and Stage Three will be constructed upon relocation of the Ice Skating Rink facility to the proposed location in Tuggeranong.
“We will strike a balance between form, function, and community integration, ensuring that this development not only meets but exceeds expectations, leaving a lasting positive impact on the community.”
The report stated the proposal integrates communal open spaces across each stage of development, and was an example of how “careful planning” could create an “inclusive and sustainable community space”.
“It not only meets but exceeds the expectations set out in Canberra’s planning policies, making a valuable contribution to the area’s future growth, liveability and resilience,” it read.
Geocon was unable to provide comment before deadline.
The second development application period closes on 22 May.
The relevant standing committee will consider the lodged petition for comment.
