Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Royal Life Saving spotlights Federal Government’s commitment to aquatic centre upgrades

Royal Life Saving spotlights Federal Government’s commitment to aquatic centre upgrades
June 6, 2022

Royal Life Saving Australia has today spotlighted the aquatic centres across Australia to which the new Federal Government made election promises on facilities being upgraded, reinvigorated and rebuilt.

The election commitments worth more than $160 million made by the incoming government range from $500,000 for Fawkner Pool in Victoria to $25 million for the Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Western Australia.

Royal Life Saving notes that “the funding promises highlight the difficulty many Councils have in maintaining, upgrading and replacing community swimming pools given the high cost of operations and servicing aging infrastructure.”

A report in 2021 by PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Royal Life Saving Society-Australia found the social, health and economic benefits of the aquatic industry to Australia are worth more than $9 billion.

Royal Life Saving Chief Executive, Justin Scarr welcomed the funding boost for the 16 facilities where commitments were made.

Scarr advised “this is undoubtedly a boost for those communities and we welcome the Federal Government funding commitments, particularly in underserved regional communities.

“Bringing people together, supporting marginalised groups and supporting early learning are some of the critical ways these public pools support their local communities.

“However, with more than 2100 facilities across Australia, more discussions are needed about how we and all three levels of government, and the broader community can work together to support these vital community facilities.

“We note in particular the aging remote pools which are coming up to the end of their functional life.

“The Melbourne Olympics in 1956 were a turning point for government investment in community pools. We hope that the coming Victorian Commonwealth Games in 2026 and the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032 will give a renewed focus to our community pools.”

The funding commitments made during the election by the Labor Government include: Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre; Boyne Tannum Aquatic Recreation Centre; Carnegie Memorial Swimming Pool; Casuarina Pool; City of Kingston Aquatic and Leisure Centre; Diamond Creek Outdoor Pool; Ellenbrook Swimming Pool; Fawkner Pool; George Town Aquatic Centre; High Wycombe Community including Aquatic Centre; Kalgoorlie-Boulder Outdoor Pool; Katherine Aquatic Centre; Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre; Noble Park and Dandenong swimming pools; and North Bellarine Aquatic and Leisure Centre.

These include boosts to funding for existing partially-funded projects, including the Ellenbrook Swimming Pool, upgrades at existing facilities, and new facilities to serve growing communities.

Image: Katherine Aquatic Centre - Upgrades to the Northern Territory’s Katherine Aquatic Centre appeared assured prior to Federal election, with both the incumbent LNP Government and Labor opposition committing funds for the project. Labor candidate for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour pledged $10 million to upgrade the Katherine Aquatic Centre with then Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce also announcing $10 million for the centre’s infrastructure upgrades. While the facility has served the community for the past 40 years, the funding is considered necessary to cater for the expanding community population.

Related Articles

3rd June 2022 - Royal Life Saving seeks input on industry training packages

3rd June 2022 - Four-year funding program for Adelaide Aquatic Centre among sport investments in South Australian budget

2nd June 2022 - Input sought for aquatic industry snapshot survey

1st June 2022 - Australian Olympic Committee welcomes new Federal Sports Minister

31st May 2022 - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces cabinet and leisure portfolios

29th May 2022 - Questions over South Australian Government’s commitment to Adelaide Aquatic Centre rebuild

19th May 2022 - Labor pledges to expand inclusive sport

17th May 2022 - Major Parties both commit to investing $10 million for Katherine Aquatic Centre upgrade

28th April 2022 - City of Gold Coast aquatic facilities secure Royal Life Saving Pool Safety endorsements

22nd April 2022 - Royal Life Saving contributes to new research highlighting global drowning prevention

21st April 2022 - Royal Life Saving launch new online training on child safety for the aquatic industry

12th April 2022 - Federal Government commits to upgrades at Canberra’s AIS Arena

25th March 2022 - Royal Life Saving promotes round table event to address drowning prevention measures in North Queensland

17th March 2022 - Future of Adelaide Aquatic Centre a key issue in South Australian election

19th December 2021 - Royal Life Saving NSW partners with Invictus Australia to fill aquatic facility employment gaps

16th April 2019 - MP presents $1.5 million novelty cheque to sports club despite funds not being approved


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

HIB Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

HIB Insurance Brokers - Experts in Leisure and Amusement Insurance With over 20 years specialising in the Amusement and Leisure industries, we have the experience to understand your operations and…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Insurance / Recreation / Safety

 
 

PathMinder

PathMinder Pty Ltd have partnered with AllUser Industries srl to bring Europe’s most advanced high security portals to the Australian and New Zealand markets. AllUser Industries started to…

read more

Access / Fitness / Recreation / Security

 
 

Otium Planning Group

Otium Planning Group is a contemporary sport and leisure consultancy providing services in planning, facility development, management and funding for the sport, recreation and leisure industries…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

AAC

Welcome to AAC – makers of the world’s best wristbands, lanyards, tickets, tokens and full-service print solutions. We are Australia’s premier global manufacturer and supplier of…

read more

Access / Marketing / Safety / Ticketing

 
 

Ungerboeck Software

As of February 2023, Ungerboeck Software has rebranded as Momentus Technologies.

read more

Entertainment / Events / Hospitality / Technology / Venues

 
 

InterQuad (International Quadratics) 

InterQuad (International Quadratics)  With a combined legacy spanning over 150 years, International Quadratics (founded in 1976) and Pierce Pool Supplies (originally established in 1898 as A H…

read more

Aquatics / Safety / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

METRA Australia

With industry leading solutions in design and durability you can improve your facilities with our access control operations, payment systems and flexible personal locker storage solutions. Your…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Fitness / Recreation / Security

 
 

DAE Global

DAE Global is one of the world’s leading international creative and production practitioners, creating award-winning sport, culture and entertainment experiences for over 30 years.  It was…

read more

Culture / Entertainment / Events / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business