Major upgrades announced for Western Downs aquatic facilities

Published on 12 March 2025

Five key Western Downs aquatic facilities are set to undergo more than $1 million in upgrades and remediation works over the next few months.

Western Downs aquatic centres in Chinchilla, Dalby, Miles, Jandowae and Tara will benefit from upgrades undertaken during autumn and winter 2025 with major remediation works for the Wandoan facility planned to commence in the 2025/26 financial year.

Spokesperson for Council Facilities Sophie Bougoure said the upgrades would be undertaken during winter closures for seasonal aquatic facilities to limit disruption to peak swimming seasons in spring and summer.

"Our local aquatic centres are invaluable community assets and we're excited to start these important projects across the region to ensure our regional pools continue to serve the needs of our communities well into the future," Cr Bougoure said.

"These works are aligned with Council's aquatic facilities strategy adopted in 2023 to ensure safe, attractive, accessible pools, splash parks and supporting amenities that cater to the enjoyment of community members and visitors to our region.

"Council recognises that many of our region's pool infrastructure is aging, and that some facilities are nearing end-of-life; these works will help extend the usable life of our aquatic centres as we plan for future aquatic centre facility replacements across the region, beginning with the design and construction of a Chinchilla Aquatic Centre."

The current Chinchilla Aquatic Centre's outdoor pools will be resurfaced over a seven-week period from April 2025, while Jandowae will benefit from upgrades to its hydraulics system in May 2025.

Resurfacing works will also be undertaken for the Miles outdoor pools from June 2025 and the Tara community will benefit from a new perimeter fence incorporating the Rotary Park playground into the town's aquatic centre grounds.

Dalby will see refurbishments to the indoor pool walls and an upgrade to the filtration system for its 50-metre outdoor pool.

Pool Closures

Seasonal aquatic facilities (Miles, Tara, Jandowae and Wandoan) will close for the winter period from 18 April 2025 and reopen 15 September 2025.

The Chinchilla Aquatic Centre 50-metre pool and toddler pool will close from 1 April 2025 for works to commence. The Chinchilla indoor pool will remain open until 7 April 2025 at which time there will be whole centre closure whilst works are undertaken. The Chinchilla facility is expected to reopen on 19 May 2025 under the new management of Belgravia Leisure.

At the Dalby Aquatic Centre, the 25-metre indoor pool will close for works to be undertaken from 31 March 2025 and the outdoor pool will close on 18 April 2025 for the winter period. The Dalby facility will reopen 19 May 2025 under the new management of Belgravia Leisure with the outdoor pool expected to reopen 15 September 2025 works permitting.

For more information contact Council on 1300 268 624 (COUNCIL) or visit www.wdrc.qld.gov.au