Project background
The Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre (SSAC) has been a cornerstone of community sport and recreation for over 50 years, with 30 of those 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 Built in the 1980s, the aquatic and leisure facility is outdated, inefficient and reaching its end of life requiring significant investment to upgrade the amenities.
SSAC is the shire’s primary recreation precinct attracting 80,000 visitors annually. Community engagement in 2021 identified the redevelopment as a key community priority, confirming its role as essential infrastructure for health, recreation and wellbeing.
In 2022, council partnered with the State Government and Sport and Recreation Victoria to commission a feasibility study into the facility’s condition, user needs and long-term viability. The study reviewed the facility’s performance, demand projections, competition, design options, management models, and ten-year operational and maintenance costs.
In 2024, building on the study’s findings, council and the State Government progressed concept designs and cost estimates that reflected community feedback. Given the scale of investment, the redevelopment has been divided into two potential projects:
- Project 1: Aquatic Redevelopment – estimated cost $28.5 million
- Project 2: Dry End Redevelopment – estimated cost $14 million
As part of formulating council's official advocacy strategy for this project, a community survey is being conducted which is linked below. The survey closes at 11.59pm on Monday, March 16, 2026.
Council plan priority
The project supports the implementation of the 2025-29 Council Plan and council’s Sport & Active Recreation Strategy 2024–34.
In the 2025-29 Council Plan, the priority is aligned as follows:
- Goal 1: Live it up
- Strategy 1.2: Supporting healthy communities
- Action: Provide active living opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and cultural backgrounds.
- Task 12114.0: Advocate for funding opportunities for Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre redevelopment.
Have your say
Council is currently developing its advocacy strategy for the redevelopment project and requires additional community and stakeholder insight to support the overarching direction. All past, present and potential future users of SSAC are encouraged to complete a survey highlighted below to ensure their voice helps shape the future of the facility and the services available within it.