The Territory Planning Authority has approved the first stage of a major redevelopment of the Phillip Pool site, clearing the way for demolition works and the construction of a mixed-use development that includes new aquatic facilities and residential apartments.
The approved development application, lodged by Geocon in November 2024, allows for the construction of two 13-storey residential towers containing a total of 286 apartments, along with a new public indoor pool and café at ground level. The approval also includes four levels of basement parking, a shared laneway connecting Melrose Drive and Irving Street, landscaping and associated works.
The decision, made on 16 December 2025, relates to the first of three stages proposed for the site. The Territory Planning Authority has confirmed that this stage does not affect the operation of the existing outdoor 50-metre swimming pool, which is expected to remain open during demolition and construction works. The future of the outdoor pool and the ice rink will be considered as part of later development applications.
The new aquatic facility approved under stage one will include an eight-lane 25-metre lap pool, a 20-metre warm water program pool, and a range of family and recreational facilities, including toddlers’ and learn-to-swim pools, leisure pools and indoor and outdoor splash pads. Steam and sauna facilities, a marshalling area for organised programs and an on-site café are also included.
Opponents of the redevelopment have raised concerns about the loss of the existing 50-metre pool, the ice skating rink and surrounding green space. Thousands of people have signed petitions calling for the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre to be retained and upgraded, with more than 2,000 signatures collected through a combination of online and paper petitions sponsored by Independent Murrumbidgee MLA Fiona Carrick.
Ms Carrick, who has been a vocal advocate for retaining the existing 50-metre pool, said she was deeply disappointed by the decision.
Ms Carrick said: “We are devastated by the news that Geocon’s proposal has been approved. The loss of this iconic pool and ice rink, and the surrounding green space is clearly not a good outcome for the community. The population of the Woden region is growing rapidly, yet community facilities continue to be diminished.
“This decision is based on a flawed and inadequate planning process that has abdicated planning to the private sector. A needs analysis to understand the needs of the community for aquatic facilities in the town centre was never undertaken, and an investigation by the Auditor-General is underway into the Territory Plan changes that enabled this development. This decision further undermines public trust in the planning process.
“Communities across Canberra continue to face the loss of much-loved facilities, including Belconnen’s Big Splash, Dickson’s squash courts, and the Weston Creek bowling club. As Canberra densifies, well-located community facilities are critical for building connection and lifestyle in our town centres, yet the ACT Government appears incapable of delivering holistic planning to meet these needs.
“The government’s response to my motion requesting evidence of how a 25-metre pool best meets the needs of the catchment found that 50-metre pools are viable where there is a dedicated population of over 70,000 people. The town centre catchment for Woden/Weston Creek is forecast to reach over 70,000 people by 2029 and over 140,000 people across the broader 5km catchment by 2065, easily meeting the threshold for a 50-metre facility.
“I will continue advocating for the replacement of lost community facilities in the Woden Town Centre, and will hold the ACT Government to account for delivering good planning outcomes and for negotiating with the private sector to deliver new community facilities.
“I call on the ACT Government to commit to a new publicly-owned community aquatic centre, with a 50-metre pool, elsewhere in the Woden Town Centre. Similarly, I will be advocating for publicly-owned community facilities to deliver better outcomes as the Molonglo Town Centre is developed.”
The application was assessed as a significant development and underwent extended public consultation, with multiple rounds of public notification. Conditions were imposed on the approval to address design, amenity, environmental impacts and the mandatory pool facilities, and to require the Crown lease to be varied to allow the development.
Some trees on the site were identified as regulated under the Urban Forest Act 2023, with the Authority determining there was no reasonable alternative design that would allow them to be retained.
Geocon has welcomed the approval, describing it as an important step for Woden Town Centre and a significant private investment in community sport and recreation infrastructure. The developer has indicated it is preparing to release the approved apartments to the market, with construction expected to begin once all remaining approvals are in place.
Further development applications covering stages two and three are anticipated to be lodged in the future and would be subject to separate assessment and public consultation.
