A new Aquatic Centre
WVCC Recommendation
Upgrade Phillip Pool or build a new aquatic centre (indoor and outdoor) in the Woden Town Centre to meet the needs of the growing community. Upgrade the ice skating rink with a second sheet on the existing site.
The Issue
The future of the Phillip Pool is at risk. The ACT Government is not actively managing the site or a 50m public pool in the Town Centre.
ACT Government Policy
The ACT Government owns and contracts the management of the Dickson, Manuka, Greenway, Gungahlin and Molonglo pools.
The Woden Pool was on 10 year leases until it was sold for 99 years in 2008.
If Woden loses its pool, the pool to service Woden residents is at Molonglo.
Phillip pool is privately owned
Recent advocacy
The WVCC undertook a petition (sponsored by Ms Giulia Jones MLA) that requested the Assembly to call on the Government to:
provide a grant to fix the Phillip Pool and assist in ensuring it occurs
keep the Phillip Pool open until it, or another outdoor pool, is available and open for the people of Woden for the long term.
The petition received over 500 signatures (including those collected by Ms Jones MLA) and on 30 November 2021 the Legislative Assembly referred it to the Standing Committee on Planning, Transport, and City Services for consideration.
On 13 January 2022 the WVCC wrote to the above standing committee seeking an Inquiry into Woden’s recreation precinct and facilities
On 8 February 2022, Ms Yvette Berry, Minister for Sport and Recreation responded to the petition advising that:
The commercial prospects, operation and future of the PSISC, inclusive of the pool facilities, is a matter for the owner of that property, noting the lessee has had use, occupation and benefit of the property for over 40 years. As a result, I can advise the ACT Government does not support the petition request to provide a grant to the PSISC lessee to “fix the Phillip Pool and assist in ensuring this occurs”.
While the closure of the swimming pool at PSISC for the 2021-22 summer season is unfortunate, the ACT is well catered for when it comes to the provision of public and private aquatic facilities. There are a number of government aquatic facilities located within a 10-kilometre radius of the Woden Town Centre including Stromlo Leisure Centre, Manuka Pool, Canberra Olympic Pool (in the city), Lakeside Leisure Centre (Greenway) and Active Leisure Centre (Wanniassa). There are also several private aquatic facilities located in Woden and the surrounding area that offer a range of services to the community.
Previous advocacy
In October 2021 we wrote to appropriate members of the Legislative Assembly expressing our concerns about the closure of the Phillip Swimming Pool.
In November 2021, Yvette Berry MLA, Minister for Sport and Recreation responded to our correspondence stating that as a result of lockdown, the lessee applied to for statutory relief to temporarily close the swimming pool during the upcoming summer season. Noting the issues raised by the lessee, the planning and land authority has approved the request.
The WVCC has raised the issue of the pool requiring upgrade with the Government many times over the years.
Background Information
In 2020:
the Molonglo Pool opened, it has been reported that this is Woden’s pool too
the ACT Government committed to a double sheet ice rink in Tuggeranong
There is now little incentive for the owners of the Phillip Swimming and Ice Centre to invest in the facility because the long term financial viability is uncertain with a new ice rink absorbing the patronage
In 2018 the zoning for the Woden Town Centre was updated however the zoning for the site was retained:
provides or retains an ice skating rink suitable for national ice hockey competition
provides or retains a 50–metre public pool with direct public address to Irvine Street
development for other uses involves redevelopment of the pool as an indoor facility.
The 2015 Woden Town Centre Master Plan recommends
Simplify the existing planning controls in the Phillip Precinct Code for the swimming and ice skating site to allow for redevelopment of the pool anywhere on the site. Ensure the site has the potential to accommodate other uses, such as offices, that support the existing facilities and allow for future upgrades and long-term viability.
In October 2012
4 October 2012 - in the article Draft report reveals south Canberra swimming facility shortage the Age reported that Andrew Barr, then Minister for Sport and Recreation said the 2011 report was not Government policy
5 October 2012 - in the article Draft casts doubt on swim centre's future the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the Phillip venue has ''aged substantially and is potentially under threat''. Mr Raut believed the best scenario could be the existing site being reconfigured so that there were no outdoor pools but an indoor pool facility, new ice rink and room for a boutique hotel with shops and restaurants on the ground floor.
In June 2011 the draft report Aquatic and Related Facilities: ACT Strategic Plan 2011-2030 was finalised however it was not released for public comment.
Pool closures:
2009 - the 50m Oasis pool in Deakin closed because the management was unable to continue operating the facility
The pool at the Deakin shops closed
2008 - the Phillip Pool was sold with a 99 year lease
16 October 1971 – 3 pools opened - the 50m pool, circular paddling pool, and learners’ pool
1979 - leased to Glencora Pty Ltd for 10 years
the tender did not include an ice rink however Glencora included an ice rink in their submission
at the time there were concerns that a public facility was being handed over to the private sector
1980 - the Ice Skating rink opened
10 year leases continued until the pool was sold to Glencora in 2008
The current pool lease
The Lessee (Wayne Houghton, Director Glencore, Pty Ltd) pays rent to the ACT Government
Purpose – public heated swimming pools, ice skating rink
the Lessee shall at all times maintain, repair and keep in repair the premises to the satisfaction of the Authority
If the Lessee is in breach of the obligation to maintain and repair the premises the Authority may by notice in writing to the Lessee specifying the repairs and maintenance needed require the Lessee to affect the necessary work in accordance with the notice
If the Lessee does not carry out the required work within the time specified by the Authority, the Authority may authorise the work to be done by persons and the work shall be paid by the Lessee
termination – eg unpaid rent for 3 months, land not used for the purpose of the lease unless directed by the Territory, failure to remedy breaches
Conclusion
Discussions with the owner of the Phillip Centre need to be advanced with all options considered, including changing the zoning to enable the best outcome.
