Shaping the Future of Aquatic Facilities in Australia

National Aquatic Infrastructure Symposium 2025

Background

Aquatic facilities are a cornerstone of Australian community life. They provide places for learning to swim, safe recreation, sport, health and wellbeing, and social connection. Yet many facilities are ageing, some communities face limited or no access, and the sector grapples with sustainability, design, and funding challenges. Without a coordinated national approach, access to safe, sustainable and inclusive aquatic infrastructure will remain inequitable.

Symposium Event

The National Aquatic Infrastructure Symposium was held in Melbourne on 27–28 March 2025, hosted by Royal Life Saving Australia. The event brought together more than 100 leaders from governments, councils, industry, academia, architecture, and community organisations to develop a shared vision for the future of aquatic facilities.

Over two days, delegates explored the role of aquatic facilities as essential social infrastructure, addressing issues of sustainability, equitable access, safe and inclusive design, planning models, and innovation. The discussions were captured in the official Symposium Event Report, which summarises each session and provides direction towards a National Aquatic Infrastructure Framework.

Towards a National Aquatic Infrastructure Framework

As an outcome of the Symposium, delegates identified the need for a National Infrastructure Framework to guide the next steps in strengthening aquatic infrastructure across Australia:

1. Establish guiding principles for national aquatic infrastructure planning.
2. Develop evidence-based metrics and tools to inform decision-making on facility scale, components, and location.
3. Showcase best practice case studies across metropolitan, regional, and remote contexts.
4. Strengthen equity of access by prioritising communities with the greatest need, particularly in regional and remote areas.
5. Advocate for sustainable investment and innovation to ensure facilities are accessible, inclusive, safe, and future-proof.

Next Steps

Royal Life Saving Australia, in collaboration with the National Aquatic Industry Committee and partners, will:

• Convene a working group to co-design the draft National Aquatic Infrastructure Framework.
• Publish planning tools and resources to support councils and operators.
• Undertake further research into infrastructure gaps and needs.
• Release a draft framework for consultation in late 2025.

View / Download the Report