Hepburn Shire Council has overturned a recommendation from council officers that it cease pursuing the development of an indoor aquatic facility because of the significant costs involved.
At its regular meeting this week, Council resolved to keep the possibility of an indoor pool open while acknowledging both the important role public swimming pools have played in local communities for decades and the need to make financially responsible decisions about future aquatic services and infrastructure.
Council also publicly released the Indoor Aquatics Provision Feasibility Study and Business Case after a delay of almost two years. Dated August 2024, the report outlined and costed five options for future aquatic service provision.
Cr Lesley Hewitt successfully moved an amendment removing any embargo on future consideration of an indoor facility. She said residents had long expressed a desire for such a facility and noted that the Daylesford pool was built in the aftermath of the 1956 Olympic Games, along with many other public pools across Australia.
While acknowledging that an indoor pool is currently beyond Council’s budget capacity, Cr Hewitt said opportunities may arise in the future, particularly as the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games approach.
Speaking in support of the motion, Cr Pat Hockey said the challenge of replacing and upgrading aquatic facilities was an estimated $8 billion national problem that should not fall solely on local government.
He argued that only the federal government has the financial capacity to address the issue on a national scale and suggested a dedicated funding program could emerge in coming years. Echoing Cr Hewitt’s comments, he said the immediate priority should be advocacy.
Council noted that its Priority Projects document, adopted in February 2026, includes an advocacy action calling for the establishment of a dedicated state and federal funding program to substantially support the refurbishment and improvement of rural and regional outdoor swimming pools.
As part of its decision, Council resolved to establish a shire-wide community panel to help shape the future direction of aquatic services. The panel will consult with residents, pool users, clubs and other stakeholders to ensure future decisions are informed by local knowledge, priorities and needs. Community engagement will focus on financially feasible and responsible options for aquatic service provision.
The community panel is expected to be established for Council approval at its August meeting.
The long-awaited Feasibility Study prepared by Solucio Consulting outlined the very high capital costs of aquatics facility provision. Even maintaining the status quo with minor improvements would require capital investment of approximately $25 million (in 2024 dollars) over the next decade.
An option involving transport assistance to existing indoor aquatic facilities outside the shire would cost about $234,000 annually. Presumably this would be in addition to the costs of maintaining the existing outdoor pools.
The report estimated that redeveloping and enclosing the existing Daylesford pool would cost approximately $14 million. A new “minimum viable” indoor aquatic facility would cost around $11 million, while a new “optimal” facility would cost about $22 million.
In a statement, Mayor Cr Tony Clark said officers had recommended against pursuing a new indoor aquatic facility at this time after considering construction and operating costs, as well as the likelihood of securing external funding.
“Although the financing of an indoor aquatic facility will be difficult, councillors felt the community panel should have this as an option to work through,” Cr Clark said.
With an eye to long-term sustainability, budget risk management and avoiding overinvestment in assets with an uncertain future, Council also resolved to cap expenditure on urgent major repairs at $150,000 per pool during the 2026-27 season.
Councillors noted that this was a contingency allocation that would only be required in the event of a significant operational failure. The cap makes no distinction between the much larger Daylesford pool and the smaller Trentham and Clunes pools. Nor was it indicated what would happen if estimated repair costs exceeded the cap.
“Council understands the strong connection that many residents have with their local pools and the importance of planning carefully for the future,” Cr Clark said.
“Our outdoor pools have been valued gathering places for generations, and Council recognises the important role they play in supporting health, wellbeing and community connection. We look forward to opening for a fantastic 2026-27 summer season.”
It was also confirmed during the meeting that entry to Hepburn Shire’s outdoor pools will again be free throughout the 2026-27 summer season.
View the Aquatics Provision Feasibility Study and Business Case(PDF, 31MB) on the Council website.
