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LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY
The Future of Public Swimming Pools
A practical plan to deliver affordable, adaptable and sustainable aquatic facilities—so every community has a safe place to swim, learn and participate.
OUR POSITION
Standardise the process.
Not the community.
Public pools are essential community infrastructure. They provide places to learn swimming and water-safety skills, improve health, participate in sport and build social connection.
Royal Life Saving is calling for a coordinated NSW Government approach that makes modern aquatic facilities more affordable to plan, build and operate—particularly in regional, growing and disadvantaged communities.
THE CASE FOR CHANGE
Communities risk being left without a public pool.
Ageing infrastructure, rising construction costs and growing operating pressures are making traditional aquatic facility delivery increasingly difficult.
Around 1,200 communities are expected to be impacted by ageing aquatic facilities.
Around $8 billion is the estimated investment challenge facing Australia’s aquatic infrastructure.
Around 40% of Australia’s pools are projected to reach end of life by 2030.
Around $13 billion annually is the social, health and economic benefit generated by aquatic facilities in Australia.
OUR ADVOCACY PRIORITY
A pattern book for public aquatic facilities.
A suite of adaptable facility models would reduce duplication, improve cost certainty and help communities deliver the pool they need.
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Pre-designed models
Create quality, adaptable facility designs for different community sizes and needs.
Simpler delivery
Provide clearer planning, costing and procurement pathways for councils and partners.
Local adaptation
Respond to local climate, land, population and water-safety priorities.
THE PROPOSED APPROACH
Turning priorities into coordinated action.
A practical framework that brings together government, industry and communities to support clear leadership, coordinated delivery and measurable long-term outcomes.
01
Clear Direction
Establish a shared vision, defined priorities and a clear pathway for coordinated action.
02
Government Leadership
Provide the policy direction, commitment and oversight needed to drive lasting change.
03
Shared Responsibility
Define the roles of government, industry, organisations and community partners.
04
Local Delivery
Allow implementation to respond to the different needs, risks and circumstances of each community.
05
Sustainable Investment
Support long-term planning and delivery through appropriate and reliable investment.
06
Measurable outcomes
Set clear targets and monitor progress to demonstrate impact and guide continuous improvement.
PRIORITY COMMUNITIES
Focus effort where change will matter most.
A strong strategy combines a whole-of-population approach with targeted action addressing elevated risk, unequal access and weaknesses within the prevention system.
Regional
Regional and remote communities
Support people affected by limited facilities, seasonal pools, long distances and transport barriers.
Multicultural
Multicultural and newly arrived communities
Culturally appropriate education and pathways into swimming, aquatic recreation and community participation.
Low Socio Economic
Communities experiencing disadvantage
Reduced financial, transport and participation barriers so essential skills are not determined by postcode or income.
WHAT WE ARE CALLING FOR
Ready for government action.
The design and evidence work is already underway. We are asking the NSW Government to turn this foundation into a coordinated delivery and investment program.
1
Facility designs commissioned
Royal Life Saving has commissioned Cox Architecture to develop adaptable aquatic facility concepts for different communities and needs.
2
Infrastructure need mapped
We have mapped ageing assets, service gaps, population growth and priority communities to identify where investment is most needed.
3
Adopt a government pattern book
Establish a NSW Government Aquatic Facility Pattern Book using the commissioned designs as the foundation for consistent, adaptable facility models.
4
Create a standard delivery pathway
Provide councils with coordinated design, planning, approval and procurement guidance to reduce duplication, cost and delay.
5
Establish a dedicated infrastructure fund
Create a long-term NSW aquatic infrastructure fund to renew ageing pools and deliver affordable facilities where community need is greatest.