The Future of Swimming Pools

Engaging Design, Community and Sustainability

Background

Public swimming pools are among Australia’s most valuable community assets — delivering essential life skills, health benefits, social connection, and cultural inclusion. Yet without a reimagined approach to planning, design, financing, and delivery, many communities risk losing access to safe and equitable aquatic environments.

This partnership has been formed to drive a sector-wide shift — moving beyond traditional, capital-heavy builds and toward innovative, scalable, modular, and community-led solutions.

The program brings together public policy, expert design, cost modelling, and community consultation to shape future-ready concepts that balance:

Safety and life-saving outcomes
Financial efficiency and operational sustainability
Environmental performance and climate resilience
Universal access and inclusion
Cultural relevance, community identity, and place-making

$13 Billion

annual social, health and economic benefit of aquatic facilities

40%

of Australia's Pools reaching end of life by 2030

$8 Billion

Challenge

1200

Communities impacted

We are challenging conventional
assumptions.

This initiative will produce a suite of adaptable design models — from low-cost learn-to-swim pools for small and remote communities, to multi-use suburban hubs, to world-class metropolitan aquatic precincts.

A shared vision for the future

Aquatic facilities are not just places to swim — they are community anchors, public health assets, social equalisers, climate-resilient refuges, and gateways to lifelong safety and wellbeing. This initiative seeks to secure the future of aquatic participation in Australia by delivering: