Independent Member for Kurrajong Thomas Emerson MLA has sponsored a community petition calling on the ACT Government to include diving and deep water facilities in the new aquatic centre planned for Commonwealth Park.

Mr Emerson said at the bare minimum, the new pool needed to be a ‘like-for-like’ replacement for the Canberra Olympic Pool in Civic, which is slated for demolition to make way for a new Canberra Convention and Entertainment Precinct. But the tender documents recently released by the ACT Government for the new pool do not include diving facilities among the minimum requirements.

“The Government’s consultation process can only be described as a farce if diving facilities are not to be included in the new aquatic centre,” Mr Emerson said.

“This would be a huge slap in the face for many Civic Pool users, especially those whose chosen sports cannot survive in the ACT if the current plan goes ahead.

“Why ask people what they want only to refuse to provide it? It’s like offering someone tea or coffee then giving them water.”

Mr Emerson said he understood a clear commitment had been made by the Sports Minister that the existing diving facilities would not be removed before new diving facilities were constructed.

“This new facility should be something Canberrans are proud of, not a facility with less amenity than the pool we’ve already got. The iconic 10-metre diving platform at Civic Pool is part of many of our childhood memories as Canberrans. It should be replicated in the new aquatic centre,” Mr Emerson said.

Mr Emerson noted that while the ACT Government provides one public pool for every 69,000 residents, the Wollongong City Council provides one for every 12,000 residents. 

“Delivering sufficient aquatic facilities is a core government responsibility. Canberrans are suffering through extreme heat this week, and we don’t have access to kilometres of coastline like many Australians do,” Mr Emerson said.

“Public pools are vital for people in our community to stay cool during heatwaves, for children to learn how to swim, for teens to hang out away from screens, and for athletes to enjoy their chosen sports.

“The South Australian Government has just delivered an incredible new Adelaide Aquatic Centre for less than the total funding envelope set aside for this project.

“If other councils and state governments can manage it, why can’t ours?”

In a recent annual reports question taken on notice, Sports Minister Yvette Berry conceded that none of Canberra’s public pools meet the state or national requirements to host a major swim event. 

“It's embarrassing that our national capital doesn’t have a public aquatic centre that can host major swim meets,” Mr Emerson said.

Background:

The National Capital Authority Commonwealth Park Concept Vision Listening Report states: “We heard support for a new aquatic centre at Commonwealth Park. User groups advocated such a facility should include indoor and outdoor pools, a competition standard 50m indoor swimming pool, indoor diving pool, associated dry land facilities as well as facilities to support training for relevant groups.”

The Canberra Aquatic Centre tender documents say, “Planning for the new aquatic facility will consider inclusion of commensurate amenity and functionality currently provided at the existing Canberra Olympic Pool,” and that the new facility “will effectively relocate the aquatic facility.” However, the minimum design requirements do not require tenderers to include diving facilities, which has since been confirmed in public remarks by the Sports Minister.

Canberra’s public swimming facilities are limited in comparison with the City of Wollongong public swimming facilities. The ACT has seven public pools, none of which are free to use. Wollongong has nine public pools, six of which are free to use, plus nine free-to-use public ocean pools. The ACT has a population of roughly 480,000 compared to the City of Wollongong’s 220,000 residents.

The Stromlo Leisure Centre cost $36 million to design and construct, and has a 50m swimming pool, a 20m program pool and a splash park. 

$137.8 million has been budgeted for the new Canberra Aquatic Centre in Commonwealth Park.

The recently opened Adelaide Aquatic Centre reportedly cost $135 million, and features:

• a 50m, 10-lane indoor pool for swimming carnivals, water sports and recreational use
• a 25m, 8-lane outdoor pool
• a dedicated indoor warm water rehabilitation pool
• a dedicated indoor learn to swim pool
• a lagoon outdoor pool
• diving amenities
• indoor leisure space, with splash zones and waterslides
• relaxation zone, sauna and steam room
• an outdoor splash pad with waterplay
• an outdoor aquatic zone with BBQs and lawned areas
• a café 
• gym and fitness facilities