Federal Budget 2021 - Opportunities for Aquatic Facility Infrastructure

Royal Life Saving has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement in the 2021-22 Federal Budget to extend and add to the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program.

The program commits an additional $1 billion to the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, bringing the total commitment to $2.5 billion. This program supports local councils to deliver priority local community infrastructure projects and it could include local aquatic facilities across Australia. The program is intended to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

RLSSA CEO Justin Scarr said the federal funding is a good way of improving existing aquatic infrastructure, particularly for aging aquatic facilities which have been in desperate need of support for a long time.

Justin notes “Royal Life Saving have been talking with governments for some time about the state of regional public pool infrastructure around the country and the need for rejuvenation. This funding announcement is a welcome option for those (and other) aquatic facilities to continue to service their communities and enhance the social health and economic outcomes in their local communities, particularly through the provision of swimming and water safety education.”

From 1 January 2022, councils will be able to access funding through LRCI Program Phase 3, with projects under the Program to be delivered by 30 June 2023.

These projects must deliver benefits to the community, such as improved accessibility, visual amenity, and/or safety. Some examples of the areas that may apply to community aquatic recreation facilities include:

  • Closed Circuit TV (CCTV);
  • Painting or improvements to community facilities (which could include swimming pools);
  • Repairing and replacing fencing;
  • Improved accessibility of community facilities and areas;
  • Landscaping improvements, such as tree planting and beautification of roundabouts;
  • Noise and vibration mitigation measures; and
  • Off-road car parks (such as those at aquatic facilities).

The Royal Life Saving initial analysis of the Federal Budget proposes that the budget contains some additional measures of varying relevance to the Aquatic Industry, depending on their ownership model and / or location.

For more information on the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program click here.

For more information on the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Guidelines click here.