Accessibility upgrades under way at Goondiwindi Memorial Pool
Published on 25 August 2025
Goondiwindi Regional Council has commenced significant upgrades at the Goondiwindi Memorial Pool to enhance accessibility and inclusion for users.
Set to be ready for the 2025-26 swim season later next month, the upgrades include the installation of a dedicated unisex accessible toilet and change room - marking the first time such a facility will be available at the pool. The change room will include hoists and necessary accessibility infrastructure and will be available from the main courtyard area.
This project follows requests from pool users for a safe and inclusive space for people with support needs and their carers - previously, carers could only assist individuals of the same sex with toileting or changing, which created a significant accessibility barrier for many community members.
A new accessibility ramp will also be constructed into the heated therapy (learn-to-swim) pool to improve access to the state-of-the-art pool hoist which was installed in 2023 and funded by the Goondiwindi Community Bookshop through its funding assistance program. This ramp will ensure safer and easier entry and exit for people with mobility challenges, while also enhancing space around the pool and reducing the need to navigate multiple gates and tight corners.
Councillor Susie Kelly holds Council’s portfolio for Community Facilities, and said the project is a step towards furthering the inclusive and welcoming environment at the Goondiwindi pool to ensure that all residents and visitors, regardless of ability, can enjoy the benefits of sport and recreation.
“The Goondiwindi Memorial Pool is a much-loved facility, enjoyed by recreational users but also home to local swimming squads, school programs and community groups, and these upgrades will help to improve it even further as an inclusive and supportive community space” she said.
“This upgrade isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about breaking down barriers and making sure people feel welcome and supported when they come to the pool. We’re proud to be delivering something that will make a real, lasting difference in people’s lives. It is a project we have been eager to deliver for some time and we were just waiting for the right funding opportunity to come along,” she said.
The Queensland Government provided $189,350 to Goondiwindi Regional Council towards this project to enable Queenslanders to participate in sport and recreation activities.
Minister for Sport, Tim Mander MP said the project will ensure more community members can experience the benefits of sport and physical activity.
“We want to break down some of the barriers that are preventing people from getting active in their local communities,” said Minister Mander.
“The infrastructure being built at the Goondiwindi Memorial Pool will make swimming possible for more people who have mobility issues, boosting the community’s participation in sport.
“We want sport to be more accessible and inclusive across the entire state, as we seek to make the physical and mental health of all Queenslanders a lasting legacy to come from hosting the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he said.
This investment further builds on Council’s ongoing work to improve accessibility and safety at its pool facilities. In October 2023, a state-of-the-art pool hoist was installed at the learn-to-swim heated pool to support individuals with mobility issues. Earlier, in 2022, Council installed three Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at the Goondiwindi, Inglewood, and Texas pools to provide life-saving support during cardiac emergencies. Council also proudly funds Learn to Swim programs at the Goondiwindi pool for the region’s small schools.