Aquatic and leisure facility in Mernda

Council endorsed a revised plan, currently costed at $85 million, for an aquatic and leisure facility in Mernda at the Council Meeting on 18 August 2026.

Council is committed to delivering the aquatic and leisure facility, however, the project will only proceed if Council secures 50 per cent of the total project cost from the Victorian and Australian governments.

The revised plan 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.

A significant shortfall in external funding and rising construction costs led Council to review the scope and delivery of the project.

The report found the estimated cost of delivering the facility as planned in 2022 had increased by 53.9 per cent from $79.28 million to about $122 million. To put that into context, Council’s entire capital works budget for the 2026-27 financial year is $116 million.

Council revised the project scope to better balance the health and recreational needs of residents in Mernda and the surrounding community with our responsibilities as a growth area Council to deliver vital infrastructure across the municipality.

Construction costs have increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic, while broader economic conditions have also driven up labour and material costs.

These pressures, together with the rate-capped environment in which Victorian councils operate, mean Council must carefully manage our finances while continuing to deliver the services and infrastructure the community needs now and into the future.

Council considered a range of options to identify a model that would deliver strong health and recreation outcomes while reducing construction and ongoing operational and maintenance costs.

The key change in the revised plan is the size of the multipurpose pool, which has been reduced from 50 metres to 25 metres. All other major components remain.

The 25-metre pool will support a wide range of uses, including learn-to-swim programs for children, lap swimming, recreation, fitness and warm-water exercise, rehabilitation and low-impact activities.

Reducing the size of the pool, as well as making other design and scope efficiencies, is estimated to save $37 million, helping to make the project more financially sustainable.

A review of similar Victorian aquatic centres found that their 50-metre pools are set up as 25-metre pools for 72 per cent of their operating hours. This indicates that a 25-metre pool can meet most of the needs of everyday community users.

Existing regional facilities such as Splash in Craigieburn and WaterMarc in Greensborough already provide access to 50-metre pools for specialist aquatic activities, including long-course swimming, competitions and higher-level training.

Council cannot fund a project of this size without substantial external funding.

If Council was required to fund the entire project, which is currently costed at $85 million, it would put significant pressure on Council’s budget and could mean other important community infrastructure projects across the municipality are delayed or cancelled.

Council is also operating in rate-capped environment where costs are continuing to rise. This means we must carefully manage our finances to ensure we can continue delivering high-quality services and infrastructure while remaining financially sustainable.

For these reasons, Council endorsed an option at the August 2026 Council Meeting that requires 50 per cent of the total project cost of the aquatic and leisure facility to be funded by external sources.

Since 2022, Council has only had a funding commitment of $10 million from the Victorian Government.

This is despite Council’s sustained advocacy to both the state and federal governments, and the clear need for an aquatic and leisure facility in Mernda.

The $10 million commitment is significantly below the level of funding required to deliver the facility and it has not yet been formalised through a funding agreement.

Council will continue advocating to the Victorian and Australian governments for funding, while also exploring the potential for partnership and co-investment opportunities.

The aquatic and leisure facility will be included in Council’s Advocacy Prospectus 2025-29, alongside Council’s broader advocacy priorities.

Council cannot do this alone. We need your help to lobby local state and federal MPs, as well as candidates standing at the upcoming Victorian election, to make this project a priority.

More information about how residents can support Council’s advocacy campaign will be communicated in the near future.

Construction cannot begin until sufficient external funding is secured.

Council is designing the aquatic and leisure facility so that the project is ready when funding is obtained.

A further report will be presented to Council for consideration within 12 months, or earlier if an external funding commitment is received, making recommendations on the project’s next steps.