Addressing Victoria’s pool infrastructure challenge

Recent reporting has highlighted a growing concern across Victoria – many communities, particularly in Melbourne’s outer metropolitan growth areas, are facing limited access to public aquatic facilities, while existing pools continue to age and fall behind modern standards.

For the aquatic industry, this is more than an infrastructure issue, it’s a public safety, participation and community wellbeing challenge.

Life Saving Victoria (LSV) has recognised the scale and urgency of this issue, embedding it as a priority within its Strategic Plan 2030 under Goal 2C: Infrastructure Investment. This commitment positions LSV to actively champion investment and innovative solutions to address the risks associated with ageing aquatic infrastructure and gaps in provision.

STRATEGIC PLAN 2030 – Life Saving Victoria

Without ongoing investment, facilities can struggle to:

Meet contemporary safety and supervision standards

Support growing and diverse communities

 Provide accessible, inclusive spaces that encourage participation in water safety and recreation

As population growth continues, particularly in high-growth corridors, the need for fit-for-purpose aquatic facilities has never been greater.

Alek Olszewski, Senior Manager within LSV’s Aquatic Industry Services team, says the challenge requires a coordinated and forward-thinking approach:

“We know that access to safe, well-designed aquatic facilities plays a critical role in preventing drowning and building water safety skills across the community. Investment in infrastructure isn’t just about assets — it’s about ensuring every Victorian has the opportunity to be safe around water. Addressing ageing facilities and gaps in provision is essential if we are to maintain the high safety standards our industry strives for.”

LSV will continue to work alongside government, councils and industry partners to advocate for sustainable investment, smarter planning, and improved facility outcomes across the state.

For operators, this reinforces the importance of not only maintaining current facilities to best practice standards, but also contributing to the broader conversation about future aquatic infrastructure needs.

Further detail reported by ALM: Infrastructure Victoria highlights lack of public pool provision in outer Metropolitan Melbourne | Australasian Leisure Management