Published 3 April 2025
National Aquatic Infrastructure Symposium 2025: A Collective Vision for the Future of Community Pools
The National Aquatic Infrastructure Symposium 2025, held in Melbourne last week, brought together a powerful and multifaceted ecosystem of over 100 leaders across government, planning, architecture, design, academic and aquatic sectors. Facilitated by Royal Life Saving Australia on behalf of the National Aquatic Industry Committee and in collaboration with key program and event supporters, the two-day event marked a defining moment in shaping the future of aquatic infrastructure across the country.
From the very first keynote, the message was clear: the time to act is now.
Dr Justin Scarr (Royal Life Saving Australia) opened the Symposium with a call to action that set the tone for collaboration and urgency. Keynotes and panel discussions from national and international experts - including Darryl Condon (HCMA, Canada), RJ Houston, and Dr William Koon—offered deep dives into planning strategies, access, equity, innovation, and sustainability. Across the program, stories from local centres like Northcote, Wadeye, Katherine, Gunyama, Roma, Palm Beach, Geelong, Carnegie and Fawkner showcased the diverse needs and opportunities across communities, both urban, regional and remote.
Throughout the Symposium, participants explored the pressing question: How can we co-design aquatic facilities that are equitable, sustainable, and future-ready?
The answers, echoed in every session and conversation, are simple yet powerful: we must work together, we must shift paradigms and expand our focus towards community wellbeing hubs, plan for the long-term and put community at the centre of our decision-making.
From case studies of grassroots "save the pool" campaigns to explorations of new investment and design models, the Symposium highlighted that aquatic facilities are more than just places to swim - they are critical pieces of community infrastructure that support health, connection, and resilience. They are places where people of all ages and backgrounds come together.
By bringing a range of perspectives to the table—community voices, planning consultants, technology suppliers, architects and engineers, researchers, government leaders, and operators - the Symposium underscored the importance of systems thinking and backbone facilitation to really tackle the big issues and explore nuanced solutions. But only if we seize this opportunity now.
The workshops brought it all together, distilling key insights into actionable insights for a National Aquatic Infrastructure Framework - a bold set of principles and tools that can guide future investment and development to meet the needs of every Australian community.
As we move forward, one message stands out: the future of community pools are at a crossroads - if we continue as-is, many communities will miss out on access to great local community pools, but if we mobilise, collaborate, innovate, and act with urgency to drive upgrades for aging pools and build new pools in growing communities, we can build a legacy of healthier, happier and more resilient communities powered by thriving, accessible and sustainable community pools for generations to come.
Thank you to the National Aquatic Industry Committee, our presenters, sponsors, supporters, and every participant who contributed to this inspiring and vital event.
Sponsors:
Commercial Aquatics Australia (Vic)
Myrtha Pools
Lynxight
Media Partner:
Australasian Leisure Management
Program Supporters:
Warren Green Consulting
Otium Planning Group
IAKS Australia & New Zealand
Smart Connections Consulting / National Sports and Physical Activity Convention
Warren and Mahoney Architects
LIWA Aquatics
Event Hosting:
Life Saving Victoria
Stay tuned as we continue this vital work in support of the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030.
