A push for year-round swimming facilities in Mount Alexander Shire has gathered momentum, with hundreds of community members backing a campaign for better access to aquatic facilities.
Swim Mt Alexander (SWIMMA) held a ‘Big Splash’ gathering on Saturday morning, bringing supporters together on the steps of Castlemaine’s historic Market Building to highlight the growing need for year-round swimming.
SWIMMA chair Bryn Davies said the snap rally reflected sustained community concern about the lack of suitable aquatic facilities in the shire.
“Nearly 900 people responded to our survey earlier this year,” Mr Davies said.
“We know that people’s physical and mental health is suffering through lack of access for recreation, exercise, rehabilitation, hydrotherapy and more.
“We have doctors, physiotherapists and other health professionals telling us that they have nowhere to send their clients.”
Mr Davies said some residents were travelling more than an hour a day to access basic exercise and rehabilitation, while children faced fewer opportunities to learn to swim.
“Our research suggests we are the largest town in Victoria without easy access to year-round swimming,” he said.
The gathering marked a significant step forward for the campaign, following Mount Alexander Shire Council’s allocation of $114,000 in its 2026/27 budget to develop an Aquatic Facilities Strategy over two years.
The strategy will examine the current and future aquatic needs of residents, visitors and user groups, including opportunities to improve the shire’s seasonal pools in Castlemaine, Harcourt, Newstead and Maldon.
It will also consider the long-term provision of aquatic facilities across the shire.
The need has become more pressing following the closure of the privately owned indoor pool at Castlemaine’s Drill Hall, a significant loss for the community, particularly children attending swimming lessons and older residents.
Mount Alexander Shire mayor Toby Heydon said the strategy would provide a strong foundation for future planning and investment.
“Our pools are such important community assets. They support recreation, health, wellbeing and social connection, especially for youth and young families,” Cr Heydon said.
“This strategy will help us identify opportunities to meet community needs in a sustainable way.”
Council will consult key stakeholders and the broader community at various stages of the strategy’s development.
Cr Heydon encouraged residents to have their say.
“We want to hear from a broad range of people across the shire. Community input will be essential in helping us understand local priorities and aspirations for aquatic facilities,” he said.
“The strategy is not about pre-determining outcomes. It will provide the information needed to make informed decisions about the future of aquatic facilities in Mount Alexander Shire so that future investment is directed where it is needed most.”
Residents can register on council’s SHAPE engagement platform to receive project updates and information about upcoming consultation opportunities.