Council seeking input for funding plan for SSAC redevelopment

Published on 11 March 2026

Northern Grampians Shire Council leaders are urging all past, present and potential future Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre (SSAC) users to provide input into a funding advocacy plan for a potential multi-million-dollar redevelopment.

Council has launched community and stakeholder surveys to help build a strong case for funding by quantifying the benefits of investment and understanding how a redeveloped SSAC could improve health, wellbeing and liveability in our region. 

The aquatic centre is an ageing facility and at some point will require a major upgrade.

In 2022, council partnered with the State Government and Sport and Recreation Victoria to commission a feasibility study into the aquatic centre’s condition, user needs and long-term viability. The study reviewed the facility’s performance, demand projections, competition, design options, management models, and 10-year operational and maintenance costs.

In 2024, using the study’s finding and community feedback, council and the State Government progressed to producing concept designs and cost estimates.

Given the scale of investment required, the development was divided into two potential projects: 

• Project one: Aquatic Redevelopment – estimated cost $28.5 million. 
• Project two: Dry End Redevelopment – estimated cost $14 million.

Mayor Karen Hyslop said funding the development was well beyond the means of council.

"For the redevelopment to come to fruition, the vast majority of funding would have to come from the Commonwealth and state governments,” she said.

"We are now in the process of developing an advocacy plan for project one, which will direct council to the most effective way to secure this external funding.”

Cr Hyslop said council was now in the process of developing a funding and advocacy strategy for project one. 

“We are calling on the community to provide their experiences of and insights about the centre, which will directly inform our advocacy strategy,” she said.

“The strategy is designed to help council secure the funding required to deliver phase one of the redevelopment.

“If you are a current member, a past member, a casual visitor or even if you are thinking about using the centre, we want to hear from you.

“We encourage you to share your experiences and facility needs with us to help shape the future of our region’s premier indoor sporting facility.”

Council staff have emailed centre stakeholders, including school and sporting groups, with a separate survey featuring questions targeted towards group use.

Stakeholders who have not received an email but would like one can call Nicholas Baird on (03) 5358 0550 or email nicholas.baird@ngshire.vic.gov.au. 

Stakeholders can also participate in the community survey, if applicable.

Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre has been a cornerstone of community sport and recreation in the shire for more than 50 years, including 30 as an aquatic facility.

“Built in the 1980s, the aquatic and leisure facility is outdated, inefficient and reaching its end of life, requiring significant investment to upgrade the amenities,” Cr Hyslop said.

“It is no secret that the infrastructure is ageing and can be unreliable – staff are dealing with ongoing maintenance challenges, particularly during cooler months, and there are temperature control barriers in the stadium and gymnasium.

“SSAC is our shire’s primary recreation precinct, attracting 80,000 visitors annually. Community engagement in 2021 identified the centre’s redevelopment as a key community priority, confirming its role as essential infrastructure for health, recreation and wellbeing.

“Council is committed to bringing this redevelopment to fruition to ensure SSAC remains a key community asset for decades to come.”

People can complete the survey here before 11.59pm on Monday, March 16, 2026.

Copies of project one concept designs are available at centre reception.