National Aquatic Centre Archives - Fortitude Valley News

The cost of building Brisbane’s National Aquatic Centre (NAC) for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has nearly doubled, now projected at $1.2 billion.

Read: Spring Hill to Become Home of Australia’s Largest Aquatic Venue for 2032 Games

The revised figure, confirmed by the Games Independent Infrastructure Authority (GIICA), is significantly higher than the $650 million originally estimated by Swimming Australia earlier this year.

Despite the price increase, officials say the scope of the project in Spring Hill remains largely unchanged. GIICA chair Stephen Conry said the updated figure reflects a more realistic assessment of the project’s cost and emphasised that the aquatic centre will be a long-term investment for Queensland. He described the NAC as a world-class facility that will serve as a national hub for aquatic sports and provide lasting benefits for future generations.

Once complete, the aquatic centre will be the second most expensive Olympic venue after the $3.8 billion main stadium at Victoria Park, located less than a kilometre away. The NAC is expected to be funded through a partnership with the federal government.

The higher price tag does not come as a surprise to many involved in the planning process, who had questioned the earlier cost estimate. Planning for the centre had been constrained by the tight time frame of GIICA’s 100-day review earlier this year, which did not allow for detailed cost analysis.

Shifting the $2.5 billion Brisbane Arena project to private sector funding has freed up public funds, allowing the NAC and other venues—such as a proposed rowing course in Rockhampton—to move forward.

Work is already underway to assess whether the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton can be adapted to meet Olympic requirements. While initial assessments suggested limitations, GIICA is now conducting further studies to explore its feasibility.

Read: Fortitude Valley Builders Join $7.1b Olympic Push

Construction of the National Aquatic Centre is expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027. Conry said planning is progressing well, though he acknowledged that unexpected challenges are common in large infrastructure projects. He expressed confidence that the delivery timeline remains on track and suggested public support for the Games continues to grow.

Published 23-July-2025

The planned new aquatic centre in Spring Hill will feature three new pools and two new diving towers, setting a new benchmark for aquatic sports infrastructure in Australia as preparations continue for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A major aquatic facility is set to be developed at the current Centenary Pool site in Spring Hill as part of Brisbane’s Olympic legacy. This project aims to serve both elite athletes and the broader community, offering a world-class training and competition venue.

Two large indoor stadiums will be built, each equipped with pools designed for elite training and high-level competitions. The centre will also include modern amenities to support both athletes and community users.

During the 2032 Games, the venue’s capacity will temporarily expand to over 25,000 seats, making it the largest Olympic swimming venue in Australian history and surpassing the size of the facility used in Paris 2024. Following the Olympics and Paralympics, the National Aquatic Centre will offer a lasting, world-class facility with a permanent seating capacity of 8,000, providing long-term benefits for Australia’s aquatic sports community.

While most aquatic events for the 2032 Games are planned for this new Spring Hill location, the Brisbane Aquatic Centre in Chandler will also undergo necessary upgrades to support the competitions.

Community and National Benefits

Aquatic sports bodies across Australia have strongly supported the development of the National Aquatic Centre in Brisbane, seeing it as a vital legacy project from the 2032 Games. Other potential locations would not meet the long-term needs of both the sporting community and the broader public.

Concerns have been raised that temporary pool solutions or relying solely on existing facilities would fail to provide a lasting aquatic legacy for Brisbane and Queensland. Upgrading the Brisbane Aquatic Centre in Chandler alone is insufficient to address current challenges or deliver significant future benefits.

The proposal for the Spring Hill site aims to create a vibrant community space that will generate economic, health, and social advantages for many years after the Games conclude. The main indoor pool has been designed to accommodate 19,350 spectators during the 2032 Games, which later reduced to at least 5,850 seats. The second indoor pool will have 5,000 seats during the Games, with a legacy capacity of 2,500.

The National Aquatic Centre’s location is also noted for its good access to public transport, being within walking distance of the Exhibition railway line and Brisbane Metro. Its proximity to Brisbane City and Spring Hill hotels and restaurants, suitable land for construction, and potential for expanded parking to serve nearby facilities like the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital are also advantages.

A Hub for Aquatic Sports

The National Aquatic Centre is expected to unlock significant opportunities for Australia’s four major aquatic sports. It will provide a central location for daily high-performance training, athlete development pathways, and community access for people of all ages and abilities.

This project is viewed as a chance to honour Australia’s strong connection to aquatic sports and potentially establish South-East Queensland as a leading global centre for water sports. The long-term strategy has received endorsement from the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia, and World Aquatics.

The national aquatic bodies consider investment in a new, permanent facility essential. Research from the Royal Life Saving Society Australia indicates a growing demand for existing public pools and the increasing social value they provide to communities nationwide.

Games Infrastructure Plan

The Queensland Government said the Spring Hill is a key legacy infrastructure for Greater Brisbane from the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This plan emerged from a review process and stakeholder consultation.

While a new Brisbane Stadium at Victoria Park will be the central Games precinct, the aquatic centre in Spring Hill is a significant sporting venue. Upgrades are also planned for other sporting facilities across Brisbane. Queensland has stated that this infrastructure plan will deliver lasting benefits for decades after the Games.

Olympic champion Cam McEvoy expressed his excitement about the NAC, seeing it as a venue to inspire future athletes and provide state-of-the-art training facilities. He highlighted South-East Queensland’s strong performance in swimming and believes the NAC will further solidify this.

Published Date 16-May-2025

Tag: National Aquatic Centre

2032 Olympics: Brisbane’s National Aquatic Centre Budget Jumps to $1.2B

New National Aquatic Centre Planned for Spring Hill With Major Facility Upgrades

Community and National Benefits

A Hub for Aquatic Sports

Games Infrastructure Plan