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read moreRoyal Life Saving Society - Australia has expressed its fears that as many as 500 public swimming pools will close within 10 years without significant and sustained investment.
Building on its past studies, new research from Royal Life Saving estimates that 68% of community swimming pools are aged over 50 years, and that $8 billion is needed to refurbish, upgrade, or rebuild them.
Explaining the critical state of the nation's aquatic facilities RJ Houston, Royal Life Saving’s General Manager - Capability & Industry advised “it is much more than rusted and broken pipes, cracks in pool tiles, and porous concrete, many older pools are leaking significant amounts of water, leading to increased costs, environmental damage and concerns about water quality and safety.”
Local government shoulders the greatest burden, many are now unable to meet the upgrade costs without financial assistance from State and Federal governments.
Royal Life Saving research highlights:
It notes that many community pools are facing multiple threats - changing demographics, lack of local government resources, increasing energy and building costs, as well as the impacts of a changing climate.
With local governments contributing 64% of all funding for aquatic facilities, Houston is aware that regional councils are particularly vulnerable and often face the dilemma of pool closures.
Houston adds “without a more structured approach to swimming pool investment, more children will miss out on swimming lessons, communities won’t have a safe place to swim laps or cool off during summer, and many will be forced to swim in rivers, and lakes.”
Houston also notes that with a complex web of grant programs, securing funds is more challenging for those in regional and outer metropolitan areas.
Communities are often paralysed by competing agendas - laps versus lessons, families versus the needs of an ageing population. The system creates winners and losers.
This lack of a cohesive framework opens the door to suboptimal decision-making, depriving some communities of access to safe swimming facilities and essential water safety skills.
Advocating Royal Life Saving’s call for a strategic, long-term solution, Houston goes on to say “the benefits of public pools are clear, and decisive leadership is needed. There is a strong case for an investment fund dedicated to aquatic facility upgrades and new builds. Public funds should be allocated to function over form and aim to ensure communities maximise health and social benefits.”
Regional and metropolitan community needs analysis are needed to forecast the short, medium, and long terms needs. Funds should be made available for feasibility and planning stages to ensure that projects are shovel ready, carefully considered and in line with community needs.
Royal Life Saving proposes five principles for investment in swimming pool infrastructure:
For more information on this topic.
State of Aquatic Facility Infrastructure Report (2022)
Health, Social and Economic Value of the National Aquatic Industry (2021)
The Social Impact of the National Aquatic Industry (2021)
Equal Access to Public Aquatic Facilities (2022)
Economic Benefits of Australia’s Public Aquatic Facilities (2017)
Remote Pools - A review of Swimming Pools in Remote Areas of the Northern Territory
Images: Emptied and abandoned pool (top, credit Shutterstock)
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6th February 2024 - Royal Life Saving National Aquatics Symposium looks to strengthen the aquatic industry
3rd February 2024 - Temporary closure of Hobart Aquatic Centre for critical pool repairs
1st February 2024 - City of Sydney’s Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton Pool to close for critical works
12th January 2024 - CERM Performance Indicators releases latest operational management benchmarking report for aquatic and recreation centres
20th December 2023 - Release of latest industry guidelines aimed at increasing safety in aquatic facilities
18th December 2023 - Royal Life Saving flags safe and budget-friendly swimming at local public pools during holiday season
7th December 2023 - Revitalised Eagleby Aquatic Centre reopens for Logan residents
1st December 2023 - Royal Life Saving highlights opportunities for facilities through Community Energy Upgrade Fund Program
13th January 2023 - World Aquatics concerned about swimming pool closures and restrictions
15th December 2022 - New report reveals state of Victoria’s aquatic industry
2nd November 2022 - Royal Life Saving report shows up to 40% of Australia’s pools may need substantial upgrade or replacement by 2030
21st September 2022 - East Maitland Aquatic Centre to close for remainder of 2022 due to structural damage
1st July 2022 - City of Canterbury Bankstown to sacrifice ageing Wran Leisure Centre
4th September 2019 - ‘Confidentiality’ shrouds plans for future of ageing Adelaide Aquatic Centre
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