AUSTRALIA’S aquatic sports today welcomed the announcement from the Queensland Government that a National Aquatics Centre (NAC) will be developed in Spring Hill as part of the Brisbane 2032 master plan, creating a true legacy for future generations.

Swimming Australia, Diving Australia, Water Polo Australia and Artistic Swimming Australia, led by Nauta and Archipelago and their project team of experts, have worked for over two years to develop a proposal that would create long term value for all Queenslanders as well as provide game-changing solutions for all the aquatic sports in Australia.

The NAC will see Centenary Pool in Spring Hill upgraded and complemented by a new main and secondary stadium featuring two large indoor pools that would act as a national base to host the four peak aquatic sports.

And this would not have been possible without the expertise and commitment of Nauta and Archipelago, who supported by their team of consultants, have shared the aquatic sports vision and passion for delivering legacy.

The development of a new National Aquatics Centre will unlock significant benefits for Australia’s aquatic sports and the community, by creating a venue capable of attracting major aquatics events and an environment for daily high-performance training alongside community access.

As a coalition of aquatic sports; swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming have consistently advocated for investment in a permanent aquatics’ facility – not just because the four aquatic sports have wanted one but because Brisbane and Queensland need one.

Today is a celebration for all as this Olympic and Paralympic legacy will keep the light shining in communities long after the flame goes out. We look forward to working with the Queensland Government and other Games partners to ensure the NAC truly delivers both for the community and across all levels of our sports, from learning to swim to high performance.

Diving Australia CEO Alex Newton said: “A state-of-the art facility for diving, in the lead up to, during and post the Olympic Games, is essential for the sport to be able to achieve strong results on the international stage.”

“Currently, we quite simply do not have enough diving venues in Australia that can accommodate our current squads and competitions, let alone allow us to leverage a home Olympic Games where our goals are to expand participation. 

“The plans, which include an indoor and outdoor dive tower, will be the first venue in the Southern hemisphere with a tower capable of hosting high diving, which we are advocating should be included on the 2032 Games program.

“All four aquatics sports are determined to advocate for a truly national facility that benefits the community as well as our respective high-performance programs well beyond the two week window of hosting an Olympic Games.”

Water Polo Australia CEO Tim Welsford said: “Today’s news is historic for aquatics sports in Australia and we are pleased after years of advocating for a National Aquatics Centre, the Queensland Government has supported the opportunity to create a true legacy for our sports but also Queenslanders.”

“We have witnessed first hand how a home Olympic Games at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre inspired a new generation of players that have gone on to win medals for Australia but also inspire more young people to get involved in our sport. 

“Australia’s first ever national high-performance hub for all aquatic sports, including our Aussie Sharks and Stingers, will provide the unique opportunity where we won’t be in competition with the community needs but rather have enough pool space for everyone to enjoy and hopefully inspire more people to get active.”

Swimming Australia CEO Rob Woodhouse said: “Today we celebrate the most significant investment ever in aquatic sports in Australia. As well as the critically important community and health benefits for all Australians, the NAC will set our aquatic sports up for ongoing success for the next 50 years beyond the 2032 Games. 

“Our magnificent Paralympians and Olympians will inspire us all through their achievements at the NAC in 2032 and for decades after.  Thank you to the Queensland Government for understanding the real legacy the NAC will provide for all Australians.

“The national aquatic sports will work hard with the appointed experts to ensure that the NAC will truly deliver both for the community and across all levels of our sports, from learning to swim to high performance.”

Artistic Swimming Australia Chair Mark Sinderberry said: “The National Aquatics Centre is a dream come true for Australian aquatic sports, especially Artistic Swimming. With world-class infrastructure, we can now train, compete, and host global events at the highest standard. This facility elevates Australia’s place on the international stage, will boost our performance and provides an enduring legacy for future generations of athletes."

"Artistic swimming is an incredible sport with a fusion of strength, precision, and artistry, and having a facility like the National Aquatics Centre takes our sport to new heights. With access to a 3-metre deep pool, our athletes can train the complex lifts and acrobatics that define world-class performances, all in a safe and controlled environment. This centre is more than just a venue—it’s a stage where the next generation of Australian artistic swimmers will shine."

Olympian Maddison (Maddi) Keeney (2x Olympics: 1 silver, 1 bronze) said: “The news today of a National Aquatics Centre that will include indoor and outdoor dive towers and even a proposed built tower for high diving is so exciting for all of us in the diving community across Australia.

“As a Brisbane based athlete it would be fantastic to be able to train in a new world class facility along with athletes from other aquatic sports.

“Having a venue like this will help grow our amazing sport so much and provide so many more opportunities for young athletes coming through. The potential to host international events here at home in front of friends and family before Brisbane 2032 would also be a dream come true.”

Olympian Alice Williams (Paris Olympics, 1 silver medal) said: “Today’s announcement is so exciting. Water polo is such a European based sport and we spend our time travelling long distances to play competitions so this would be game changing for us to host international events, have a home crowd advantage and be able to prepare and recover more effectively without the long travel. 

“As a Queenslander this would be amazing and would leave such a great legacy for Brisbane. 

“We saw it with Sydney 2000, a lot of our coaches were the golden girls of the Sydney Games where they won the gold medal and when we go to Sydney Olympic Park, we see the reaction they have when they walk into the pool, they won gold in. 

“Hopefully I can have a similar experience and memories, hopefully for Brisbane 2032 and for other international events leading into it,” she said. 

Olympian Cam McEvoy OAM (4x Olympics: 1 Gold, 3 Bronze) said: “The NAC is a venue that will ignite the Olympic and Paralympic flame for the next generation of athletes.”

“As a six-year-old I stood on the blocks at Sydney Olympic Park and realised there was so much more to swimming than just my own local pool. I watched the Olympics on TV, but that was nothing compared to when I set foot inside the actual venue that held the Games. It became much more real than a TV screen. That’s what I’m excited about with the National Aquatic Centre - all of the dreams it will ignite.

“Not only that but it will be a venue that has the capacity to produce those dreams as it will be decked out in state of the art high performance technology for each sport to use and train alongside each other.

“I can’t think of any other place to have something like this than in South-East Queensland. If South-East Queensland was a country we would have finished equal third on the swimming medal tally at the Paris Olympic Games. The NAC only stands to solidify this level of achievement for future generations to come!”

Paralympian Lakeisha 'Lucky' Patterson OAM (3x Paralympics: 3 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze) said: “I am beyond excited to see that swimming will have a world-class home in Brisbane, one that is built for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.”

“The National Aquatic Centre (NAC) will be a game changer for accelerating Australia's most successful Olympic and Paralympic  sport by empowering excellence with its world-class facilities for all major aquatic sports.

“Most importantly, the NAC is a purpose-built hub that will champion inclusivity and inspire Australians to dive in and have a go for generations to come.

“It's inspiring to think about the young kids who will witness the Paralympic Games at this venue where disabilities are positively showcased and accessibility for all is encouraged. I can't wait to see it come to life.”

The aquatic sports also acknowledge Nauta and Archipelago supported by their team of expert consultants who led the development of the NAC proposal and share our vision and passion for delivering an impactful aquatics legacy, particularly:

• Nauta – Property and Infrastructure Advisor and Development Manager 

• Archipelago – Architect 

• Rider Levett Bucknall – Cost Consultant

• Gaskell Planning Consultants – Town Planning Consultant

• Colliers TTM – Transportation Engineering Consultant.

KEY FEATURES OF THE NAC:

Alongside the existing infrastructure at the Centenary Pool, the NAC would deliver: 

• three new pools, including two large indoor pools (50m and 65m) that would act as a national base to support multiple aquatic sports; including one indoor dive tower;

• one new outdoor pool with functionality to support multiple aquatic sports; 

• one 27m outdoor tower for both diving and high diving; 

• separate high performance and community gyms and amenities including a dedicated diving dry land; 

• administration and retail spaces; 

• sports medicine treatment rooms;

• permanent seating capacity of 8,800 and more than 25,000 in Games mode.