RJ will faciliate a workshop with takes national research designed to help local, state and territory governments and organisations operating public aquatic and leisure facilities to make better, more targeted infrastructure decisions. Summarising research on ageing assets, access inequity and public pool sustainability, with new analysis of “pools under pressure” and “pool deserts”, the workshop will then explore a range of themes including the state of regional and remote pools, new concepts such as the Aquabox and Future of Pools Initiative and offer thought leadership on the future of community aquatic and recreation facility provisioning across Australia.

Australia’s aquatic and leisure infrastructure is at a critical point. Many facilities are ageing, community expectations are changing, population growth is reshaping demand, and the cost of developing and operating aquatic centres continues to rise. Traditional approaches to planning are no longer sufficient to meet future needs.

This presentation explores how Australia can adopt a future provisioning approach to aquatic and leisure infrastructure planning. Drawing on current industry trends, demographic change, international examples and emerging facility models, it examines how infrastructure investment can better respond to evolving community needs while improving long-term financial and operational sustainability.

The presentation highlights the importance of moving beyond simply replacing ageing assets or replicating existing facilities. Instead, it considers how strategic planning, co-location, place-making, modular construction, technological innovation and flexible facility design can create more inclusive, adaptable and financially resilient community assets.

Participants will gain insights into the key drivers shaping the future of aquatic and leisure infrastructure and practical examples of innovative responses being adopted across Australia and internationally. The session will challenge delegates to rethink the purpose of aquatic facilities and consider how future investment decisions can maximise community health, wellbeing, participation and social outcomes while ensuring infrastructure remains fit for purpose for generations to come.

Australia’s public aquatic infrastructure is under increasing pressure from ageing assets, rising operating costs, climate impacts, and changing community needs. The Future of Pools concept, developed by Royal Life Saving NSW (RLSNSW) in partnership with Cox Architecture and WaterCo, presents a strategic, evidence-based approach to reimagining aquatic facilities as scalable, modular, and community-responsive assets that support drowning prevention, public health, and long-term sustainability.

A core component of this initiative is a data-driven prioritisation framework used to identify high-need locations for future aquatic investment. RLSNSW undertook a multi-factor analysis combining drowning and non-fatal drowning data, socio-economic indicators, population growth projections, geographic accessibility to existing facilities, and participation in swimming and water safety programs. Spatial mapping and service gap analysis were applied to identify underserved communities, with additional weighting given to high-risk cohorts including children, culturally and linguistically diverse populations, First Nations communities, and regional or growth areas with limited access to learn-to-swim opportunities.

The analysis revealed significant inequities in access to aquatic infrastructure and water safety education, highlighting the need for targeted and flexible solutions. In response, the Future of Pools concept proposes a suite of modular facility typologies, supported by a standardised “pattern book” approach to design and delivery. This model aims to reduce capital costs, improve consistency in safety and operations, and enable faster deployment in priority locations.

This presentation outlines the research methodology, key findings, and strategic implications for government and industry, demonstrating how an evidence-based approach can guide more equitable and effective aquatic infrastructure planning

Rising construction costs, tightening budgets, and increasing community expectations are making it increasingly difficult for councils to deliver new aquatic and recreation facilities. Aquabox is an innovative modular design approach that addresses these challenges by enabling facilities to be delivered in staged, financially achievable phases while maintaining a long-term vision for growth.

This presentation explores how master planning and modular design can provide councils with greater flexibility, allowing essential facilities to be delivered today while planning for future expansion as funding becomes available. Rather than compromising on quality or requiring complete redevelopment, Aquabox creates adaptable facilities that can evolve to meet changing community needs.

Key topics include modular planning, operational efficiency, flexible building structures, passive environmental design, and architectural identity. The presentation also highlights how collaboration with industry-leading consultants and suppliers supports innovative, practical outcomes tailored to each project's unique operational requirements, budget, and local context.

Aquabox is not a catalogue of standard buildings, but a flexible design platform that can be customised for projects ranging from regional community pools to large metropolitan aquatic centres. Through case studies and real-world examples, the presentation demonstrates how designing for future expansion can reduce long-term costs, minimise disruption, and maximise value over the life of a facility.

Attendees will gain practical insights into how modular thinking can reduce project risk, improve affordability, and create resilient aquatic and community facilities that grow alongside the communities they serve.

Aquatic facilities are among the most valuable pieces of community infrastructure in regional and remote Australia. They provide far more than a place to swim, they support water safety education, health and wellbeing, social connection, sport, cooling during extreme heat, and community resilience. In many communities, the local pool is the heart of community life.
As Australia continues to invest in regional infrastructure, the decisions made during planning, design and construction will shape the opportunities available to communities for decades to come.

Focusing on the delivery of aquatic facilities across regional and remote Australia, this presentation explores why how we build matters. Through real project experiences, it examines the challenges of delivering and rebushing infrastructure in isolated locations, and the role of quality infrastructure in supporting safe, vibrant, and resilient communities.
The presentation introduces the philosophy of "Build Once" recognizing that regional communities cannot afford short-term solutions or infrastructure that requires premature replacement. It also challenges the notion that regional and remote communities should accept lower standards. Regardless of postcode, every Australian community deserves access to aquatic facilities that are safe, durable, and built to create opportunities for future generations.

The presentation demonstrates that investing in quality infrastructure is an investment in people. The same engineering principles and commitment to excellence that support the world's greatest sporting venues can also empower children in regional and remote Australia to learn lifesaving skills, participate in sport, and enjoy the lifelong benefits of aquatic activity. Excellence should not be reserved for major cities; it should be accessible to every community.

Building an aquatic facility is about creating a lasting community asset that promotes water safety, supports health and wellbeing, and inspires future generations. When we build once, we leave a legacy that extends well beyond the infrastructure itself.

Remote community swimming pools are among the most effective yet often overlooked investments in drowning prevention across northern Australia. Beyond providing opportunities for recreation, these facilities serve as critical community infrastructure that supports water safety education, health, school engagement, social connection and community resilience.

Drawing on the findings of Sustaining Remote Swimming Pools in the Northern Territory: A Strategic Imperative, Floss Roberts will explore the evidence for recognising remote pools as essential public infrastructure rather than discretionary recreation assets. The presentation will examine the current state of remote aquatic facilities across the Northern Territory, highlighting the challenges of ageing infrastructure, workforce capacity, governance and long-term operational sustainability in some of Australia's highest-risk communities.

The session will share insights from Royal Life Saving NT's work with remote communities and demonstrate how sustained investment in pools contributes to improved water safety outcomes while delivering significant social, educational and health benefits. It will also outline practical strategies to strengthen the long-term viability of remote pools through coordinated policy, sustainable funding, workforce development and cross-sector collaboration.

As jurisdictions seek innovative approaches to reducing drowning and improving equitable access to aquatic participation, this presentation provides an evidence-based case for embedding remote swimming pools within broader public health, community development and resilience strategies. Delegates will gain practical insights into the role that sustained investment in remote aquatic infrastructure can play in achieving safer, healthier and more resilient communities.