A new Royal Life Saving Society Australia report has found that in the next 10 years, up to 40 per cent of public aquatic facilities that local governments own are likely to need serious refurbishment or outright replacement at a cost of more than AUD 8 billion.
The State of Aquatic Facility Infrastructure in Australia – Rebuilding our Aging Public Swimming Pools found that significant investment is required to replace, renew or upgrade pools nearing the end of their useful life.
Aquatic facilities are essential for the provision of learn-to-swim, water therapy, leisure, physical activity and swimming, which are activities that over 5 million Australians regularly attend. They are an essential service for communities.
The research found that:
- The average life expectancy of a pool is 50 years
- The average Australian public pool was built in 1968
- 500 (40%) of public pools will reach the end of their functional lifespan by 2030
- AUD 8 billion is needed to replace those 500 aging public pools
- A further AUD 3 billion will be needed to replace facilities ending their lifespan by 2035
