As foreshadowed last year, the Government is developing a new Aquatic Strategy to provide clear direction on future aquatic investment priorities across Canberra.
Ageing pool infrastructure is a challenge across Australia and in the ACT, with Royal Life Saving Australia estimating 40 per cent of public pools nationally ceasing to function by 2030.
While Canberra has a number of well-loved and maintained public pools, we recognise the importance of providing a clear pathway to the development of aquatic facilities for the community – particularly as needs and expectations change.
A new 50 metre public pool in Woden to complement existing and planned facilities
The Government is listening to community feedback and through the new Aquatic Strategy, will progress the options to deliver a public 50 metre outdoor pool in Woden. We have conducted early work on potential sites, and will continue the work on site options that meet the community's needs and technical requirements.
Stromlo Leisure Centre will continue to support the community, as well as the planned 25 metre public pool and splash play areas as part of the future private development in the Woden town centre.
An Aquatic Strategy for the whole of Canberra
The new Aquatic Strategy will investigate a range of requirements for the future of pools in Canberra including:
- Provision of competition and recreation dive facilities, including use of these facilities for other deep‑water aquatic sports.
- The need for new aquatic facilities in growth areas of Canberra, such as West Belconnen.
- A high-level condition audit for each of the existing Government aquatic facilities, which will provide guidance on operational and maintenance standards.
The strategy will be developed over the coming 12 months. As part of this work, the Government will engage aquatic user groups, sporting organisations, community members and key stakeholders.
Canberra Aquatic Centre
The Government has also released the consultation report for the new Canberra Aquatic Centre to be located at Commonwealth Park.
More than 1,600 responses were received during the seven‑week consultation period in late 2025, complemented by earlier consultation undertaken by the National Capital Authority on the Draft Commonwealth Park Concept Vision. Additional feedback was gathered through sessions with aquatic sporting groups and user organisations.
Key community priorities identified throughout the consultation include:
- Family‑friendly recreation spaces, including splash parks, slides, water play areas, shaded zones and comfortable seating.
- Aquatic facilities for all users, including a 50‑metre lap pool, recreational diving facilities and flexible multi‑use indoor spaces.
- Accessibility features, such as inclusive changerooms, ramps and warm‑water therapy spaces.
- Transport and amenity considerations, including safe pedestrian and cycling access, convenient parking and year‑round indoor spaces.
- Sustainable design features, including solar panels, renewable energy systems and green infrastructure.
The consultation findings will inform early design decisions alongside cost, feasibility and site constraints. The Government's goal is to deliver the optimal mix of features within the available $137.8m budget.
While there has been strong interest expressed in competition diving opportunities at Olympic level, the site constraints at Commonwealth Park do not allow for deep‑water dive facilities to be included at this site.
Recognising the importance of this infrastructure for sporting groups and users, the Government will investigate options for competition and recreation dive facilities at another location as part of the ACT Aquatic Strategy. This work will consider user needs, potential locations and planning requirements.
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.
