Aquatic Centre Aldinga Bay-Action Group

Mt Gambier aquatic centre🎉♥️

Find out more FREE at https://sevoice.com.au/flipbook/3526/ #3526/1

Big changes for Fleurieu Aquatic, with new operator Bluefit from July 2026.

(See previous post re the ABRA Candidates Forum on 1st March )

We asked:

Q. IF ELECTED WHAT WILL YOU DO TO HELP PROGRESS THIS IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT???

ALL the candidates were positive about the importance of aquatic facilities. Some comments were:

“Of course we need one - we need a wellness area, therapeutic centre with heated pool, hydrotherapy. Good for more mature people”
“It’s what the community wants. Aldinga is a hub for all of the Fleurieu. Let’s get it moving”
“If it brings value to the community why not proceed?”
“We can all see the benefits of a project like this for the community, in health and safety and also the engagement and connection with each other”.

Although Leon Bignell MP secured funding for the planning study in 2022, since then he has been either disappointingly unhelpful or dismissive of the project.

At the forum, the new Labor candidate, Jenni Mitton, was not optimistic about any State funding in the next four years.

None of the candidates gave the answer we hoped for, ie said they would pick up the 'phone and talk to the Mayor and new City of Onkaparinga CEO , who will have responsibility for initiating such a project.

For an aquatic facility to happen requires LEADERSHIP, VISION, PLANNING, and FUNDING from all three levels of government.

A State Labor government is clearly more focused on investing in a $100m gymnastic centre and lending $5m to a yet-to-be-approved wave-park development than making any commitment to provide important health and recreation infrastructure for this community.

OUR QUESTION TO MAWSON CANDIDATES ON SUNDAY
RE INFRASTRUCTURE

An Aquatic Centre for Aldinga

In the 2022 election campaign both Labor and Liberal candidates pledged $150k for a planning study for an aquatic centre at Aldinga.

Consequently, in 2024 the Aldinga Bay Aquatic Centre Feasibility Study and Business Case Report was completed .

The Report confirms there is a case for a new facility at Aldinga right now, with 37,000 residents living within 10kms of Aldinga, increasing to 46,000 residents by 2041.

State government and Onkaparinga Council have asked Renewal SA to set aside land in Aldinga in the green triangle adjacent the proposed rail corridor. However there is no plan to build.

There is strong support over many years for an aquatic facility in Aldinga, as demonstrated by a facebook campaign, petitions, letters of support, surveys, and a deputation to Council.

In 2025 the Royal Life Saving Society (‘State of Australian Aquatic Facilities 2025' Report) named Aldinga as the place in Greater Adelaide where the most people have to travel 20 minutes or more to access a public pool.

Noarlunga Aquatic Centre has insufficient facilities and is of insufficient size and location to service the growing population of the Fleurieu .

Everywhere else in Adelaide has either built, extended, replaced or renovated their aquatic facilities. When will we have our own?

The project requires leadership at all levels of government to work together.

Q. IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO TO HELP PROGRESS THIS IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT????

Bonus points for accessibility 🎉🎉🎉☀️

https://glamadelaide.com.au/aldinga-aquatic-centre-is-making-waves-as-council-gives-green-light-to-explore-land-rezoning/

Aldinga aquatic centre is making waves as council gives green light to explore land rezoning It's been four years since the beginning of a mission to get Aldinga locals their own public pool and now the council has made a splash of support.

GOOD NEWS!

We took a deputation to Council on 9 December about our campaign, the planning study report, and the recommended site in Aldinga.

We asked the Chamber and Mayor to pass the following motion and they said YES!

11.6 NOTICE OF MOTION – CR YEOMANS – LAND – ALDINGA AQUATIC FACILITY

Motion

That Council approves the Mayor to write to Renewal SA to consider the land known as ‘the green triangle’ at Aldinga, (except for the land set aside for the rail corridor):
a. to be rezoned ‘Recreation’, and
b. to be set aside for sport and recreation, that could include a future aquatic centre.

You can see our 8 minute deputation and the motion being debated on Council video....

Thanks everyone for your interest and support for the campaign.

CCouncillor Lauren Jew, South Coast Ward, City of OnkaparingaAldinga Bay Surf Life Saving ClubAldinga Bay Surf Life Saving ClubGreat Southern Football League@followersAldinga Bay Residents Association- ABRAAldinga Village VoiceAldinga & South Coast Community Forums - Everyone WelcomeAldinga Forum AdminsFriends of Maslin BeachCr Marion Themeliotis - City of Onkaparinga - Thalassa WardCouncillor Marisa Bell, Southern Vales Ward, City of Onkaparinga Sellicks & Surrounds Family Community (SSFC)Sellicks Woodlands & Wetlands Action Network - SWWANFleurieu SunMessenger SouthGlam AdelaideAmanda Rishworth MPAmanda Rishworth MPFriends of Willunga BasinFriends of Port WillungaFriends of Aldinga Arts EcoVillage

Search all agendas and minutes Full listing of all council and committee meetings.

Hi everyone,

Tune in to Tribe FM 91.1 or on the C Plus Community Radio app....

Tomorrow, Friday 5th December 1130 am for pool news.

Thanks Trev and Emcee ( co-host and water slide fan!)😎

Are public pools doomed?

Australia is home to more than 1,300 public pools, but according to Royal Life Saving Society Australia, hundreds of them will face closure in the next decade unless money can be found to carry out major repairs.

“Over 55 per cent of adults in the world today can't swim,” Dr Liz Taylor tells ABC Radio National’s Late Night Live.

She’s a senior lecturer in urban planning and design at Monash University, and she says this is part of the reason why public pools are so widely valued by their communities.

“And you see that community value come out often when you're faced with losing something,” Dr Taylor says.

She adds that they have increasingly come up for closure since the 1990s, particularly in Victoria.

“As these postwar pools are not necessarily maintained and they might have a kind of life cycle of 50 years or so," she explains.

“And with council amalgamations, for example, that started to really, super drive this idea that those older pools were no longer fit for purpose and were uneconomical.”

Listen to the full episode of Late Night Live via the ABC listen app or wherever you get your podcasts.