Ageing aquatic facilities don’t have to be liabilities — they can become high-value, investable community assets.
That was the message from Otium Associate Brad Billett at the Aquatic & Recreation Institute (ARI) NSW 2026 Conference last week, where Brad’s session on the Future of Pools explored how councils can reposition their facilities through strong strategy, evidence-based planning, and sustainable operating models.
The conversation around what makes a project truly “fundable” was particularly rich — coming down to strategic clarity, the right partnerships, co-location opportunities, and a credible demonstration of long-term operational sustainability.
A valuable contribution to the ongoing discussion about the future of aquatic infrastructure across NSW — and one we hope to continue.
Thanks to ARI NSW for a great event.