Council seeks government funding for aquatic and leisure facility
Published on 21 August 2026
The City of Whittlesea is calling on the state and federal governments to provide their share of the funding needed to build an aquatic and leisure facility in Mernda.
Councillors this week endorsed a plan for the delivery of an estimated $85 million aquatic and leisure facility to meet the health and recreation needs of a growing community.
The plan is conditional on Council securing external funding for 50 per cent of the total project cost.
Despite Council’s advocacy efforts, the only external funding committed to the project since the facility’s original business case was endorsed in 2022 is $10 million from the Victorian Government.
The significant funding shortfall and rising construction costs led Council to review the scope and delivery of the project.
The review found the cost of building the facility had increased by 53.9 per cent from $79.28 million to about $122 million. Council’s entire capital works budget for the 2026-27 financial year is $116 million.
At the 18 August Council Meeting, Councillors endorsed a revised project scope to ensure the facility delivers important community benefits while remaining financially sustainable.
The proposed facility includes a multipurpose 25-metre pool, warm-water pool, learn-to-swim pool, spa, sauna, steam room, gymnasium, fitness and wellbeing spaces, cafe and supporting amenities.
The project will benefit people of all ages and abilities. These include increased participation in a range of physical activities, greater opportunities for residents, especially children, to develop swimming skills, and rehabilitation and low-impact recreation activities for older residents.
The changes from the original business case, which include reducing the size of the multipurpose pool from 50 metres to 25 metres, as well as other design and scope efficiencies, are estimated to cut the project cost by about $37 million.
Council will continue to strongly advocate to the Victorian and Australian governments to secure funding towards the project’s delivery.
Quotes attributable to City of Whittlesea Mayor, Councillor Lawrie Cox:
“Council understands the importance of delivering the sporting and recreational infrastructure our growing communities need to live physically active and healthy lives,” he said.
“However, Council cannot fund a project of this magnitude on our own. We need the support of the State and Federal governments.
“The revised plan responds to the reality of a shortfall in funding and rising construction costs and ensuring Council can still deliver the services important to our community.
“Despite our advocacy efforts, since the original business case was endorsed in 2022, we have only had a commitment of $10 million from the Victorian Government.
“That is not nearly enough money to make this project a reality. We need the State and Federal governments to listen to the community and provide their fair share.
“We are urging the Victorian and Australian Governments to provide funding support for this important community facility.”