Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann today welcomed Senator for Queensland Anthony Chisholm to the Somerset Region to announce that a re-elected Albanese Labor Government will deliver a major upgrade of the Lowood Swimming Pool.

This $4.05 million election commitment will go towards an enclosed pool with improved amenities and disability access, as well as a new Lowood Swimming Clubhouse and multi-purpose facility.

Currently, the Lowood Swimming Pool is only open from the September school holidays to the Easter school holidays.

An enclosed pool would allow the facility to open all-year round, and offer learn-to-swim, aqua aerobics and hydro-therapy activities through the year, providing a better quality and more accessible recreation facility for the Lower Somerset Region.

This follows a petition to Somerset Regional Council from Lowood Swimming Pool users in May 2024 to have the facility stay open all year and a trial in 2024-25 extending the season by four weeks.

The existing clubhouse was built in the late 1980s, so a new clubhouse and multi-purpose facility would help Lowood Swimming Club to grow its membership further and allow for more activities at the venue.

After refurbishments to Lowood Swimming Pool in 2022 and 2023, the facility had more than 32,000 visits in 2023-24, exceeding the previous record of 20,891 visits in 2015-16 by more than 36 per cent.

Consistent with past practice, election commitments will be delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles. 

Quotes attributable to Senator for Queensland Anthony Chisholm:

“Ensuring people in our outer suburbs have access to modern and accessible facilities is critical to increasing the overall wellbeing of our local communities.

“It’s great to hear that more people are using this wonderful community asset and we want to see more of this, which is why we’re making this $4.05 million commitment. 

“Only Shayne Neumann and a re-elected Labor Government can be trusted to deliver the community infrastructure the Somerset Region needs and deserves.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann:

“This announcement is great news for the Lowood community and builds on Federal Labor’s record of delivery for the Somerset Region.

“Our proposed redevelopment will deliver more modern facilities for the pool’s growing number of users and will allow them to enjoy the pool all-year round, which should boost patronage even more.

“We know this is what local residents want, and I want to thank them and Somerset Regional Council for their advocacy for this project. I’ve been pleased to work with the Council to secure this commitment.