The What We Heard Report summarises feedback captured from the community and key stakeholders during consultation between 29 September to 14 November 2025.

Over 1,600 contributions were provided by Canberrans and stakeholders through an online survey, open comment field, email submissions and in person at pop-up events. Canberrans told us that the new Canberra Aquatic Centre should be a modern and inclusive facility, incorporate fun water areas and family friendly spaces, support sporting use and consider parking availability and convenient access.

Read the report

How consultation is being used

The feedback received through community consultation is helping inform ongoing planning and design investigations for the Canberra Aquatic Centre.

Key themes raised by participants, including accessibility, family-friendly facilities, aquatic sport needs, sustainability, transport connections and user experience, continue to be considered as the project develops.

Feedback from the community and stakeholders is now being considered alongside technical investigations, site planning requirements, project budget considerations and broader strategic planning to inform the development of the Canberra Aquatic Centre.

A Stakeholder Reference Group was established to provide ongoing input from key user groups and interested organisations as design work progresses.

Feedback from the community consultation and the Stakeholder Reference Group will be captured in the business case.

Once all stakeholder feedback and technical inputs have been provided, the Government will review the business case to inform decisions about the project’s next stage.

The scope of the project is subject to Government approval of the business case.

The baseline option being considered in the business case is a like-for-like replacement of the aquatic amenity currently provided at the Canberra Olympic Pool, which provides an 8 lane 50 metre pool, toddler pool and external deep water dive pool.

Planning and design investigations continue to assess how aquatic sporting and community needs can best be accommodated within the proposed site and available funding.

Commonwealth Park Concept Vision

In early 2025, the National Capital Authority (NCA) gathered feedback on their Draft Commonwealth Park Concept Vision. The draft concept vision included the proposal of an aquatic facility in Commonwealth Park.

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Stakeholder Reference Group

The Canberra Aquatic Centre Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) has brought together representatives from community, sporting, accessibility, environmental, active travel and other stakeholder organisations with an interest in the future facility.

The group provides a forum for members to:

• discuss project planning and design considerations
• share the perspectives of their organisations and communities
• identify opportunities and challenges relating to future use of the facility
• help the project team understand diverse user needs and expectations.

The Stakeholder Reference Group is one of several ways stakeholder and community perspectives are being considered during project planning and design.

A listening report of reference group meetings will be used to inform the business case and will be published.

The ACT and Australian governments have jointly committed $137.8 million to plan and deliver a new Canberra Aquatic Centre to meet the needs of our growing population and replace aging aquatic facilities across the city.

Planned for the heart of Commonwealth Park, near future light rail stops, a new Canberra Aquatic Centre will be a place for Canberrans to enjoy. Whether you’re a keen swimmer, a parent with young kids, an older adult who likes to stay active, or someone who simply enjoys being in the water. The project aims to design a facility that reflects the Canberran’s priorities, delivering a multi-use facility that can be enjoyed year-round.

The new Canberra Aquatic Centre will create a modern, inclusive community hub in the city centre—well‑connected by public transport and active travel – helping to activate the lakefront with more reasons to visit, stay and connect.

Designed to serve the whole community, the project will help more Canberrans enjoy healthy, active lives. It will also strengthen the city’s broader sport and recreation network, complementing existing facilities and creating new opportunities for participation.

Once all stakeholder feedback and technical inputs have been provided, the Government will review the business case to inform decisions about the project’s next stage.

Construction is planned to begin within this term of government, subject to final design and planning approvals.

The existing Canberra Olympic Pool, built in 1955, has been a much-loved part of Canberra life for nearly 70 years. It has hosted everything from school carnivals and swim squads to casual family visits, making it a place of sport, recreation, and social connection. Around 145,000 people use the facility each year, including both locals and visitors from interstate.

As Canberra grows, so does the community’s need for modern aquatic spaces that are inclusive, flexible, and welcoming all year round. The new Canberra Aquatic Centre will respond to these needs by creating facilities that can support everyone.

It will also play a role in shaping Canberra’s future:

• Unlocking opportunities at the existing Canberra Olympic Pool site to facilitate an expanded Convention and Entertainment Centre precinct.
• Supporting sport and events by providing facilities that can cater for both community swimming and events (for example school carnivals).
• Creating stronger links with the Acton Waterfront and light rail, ensuring the facility is well-connected and easy to access.
• Showcasing sustainability leadership, setting a benchmark for environmentally responsible public infrastructure in the ACT.

The new Canberra Aquatic Centre represents an opportunity to deliver something that is both functionally outstanding and symbolically significant, a place of vitality, reflection, pride, and connection for all Canberrans and visitors.