Property giant Geocon has secured the green light for its contentious proposal to build a 25-metre indoor pool within a new Woden apartment complex, a move that will see the demolition of the existing outdoor 50-metre Phillip pool and ice skating rink.
Community 'Devastated' by Decision
The approval, granted in December 2025, has been met with fierce local opposition. Independent Assembly member Fiona Carrick, a leading voice against the development, said she was "devastated" by the decision. She criticised the planning process as "flawed and inadequate," arguing it lacked a proper needs analysis for the rapidly growing Woden region.
"The loss of this much-loved community facility and its green space is clearly not a good outcome for the community," Ms Carrick stated. "The population of the Woden region is growing rapidly and yet community facilities continue to be diminished."
What the New Aquatic Centre Will Include
Geocon's approved plan for the first stage of the development, which includes 286 units across two 13-storey towers, features a new aquatic facility. The company hailed the approval as "an important step forward for Woden" representing a major private investment in community sport.
The new facility will offer:
- An eight-lane, 25-metre indoor lap pool with a perspex roof.
- A 20-metre warm water program pool with a relaxation zone.
- Dedicated family areas including toddler pools, a learn-to-swim pool, and indoor/outdoor splash pads.
- Wellness amenities like steam and sauna facilities, and an on-site café.
Geocon stated these inclusions are designed for year-round use and to meet contemporary standards.
Phased Demolition and Altered Lease Terms
The existing open-air 50-metre pool and ice rink will operate during the construction of stage one. However, the 50-metre pool will be demolished in stage two, with the ice rink levelled in stage three. Geocon is likely relying on the proposed Tuggeranong ice rink being built before it must cease providing the Woden rink.
The path for the smaller pool was cleared when changes to the draft Territory Plan, allowing a 25-metre pool instead of a 50-metre one, were finalised just weeks before Geocon purchased the lease to the Phillip site in 2022. The original lease had mandated a 50-metre public pool.
In response to community concerns, the ACT government pointed to five other pools within or near the Woden town centre, including Manuka Pool and the Stromlo and Erindale leisure centres. It argued the Phillip pool alone was unlikely to service the entire catchment, noting the Woden District's population was approximately 39,000 in 2021.
Despite this, community group Save Phillip Pool Community continues to campaign, recently holding a pool party at the site in a show of support for the doomed facility.
