Never-before-seen designs for Dumbleyung swimming pool redevelopment revealed as shire signs $5.5m contract

Fresh designs for a complete pool re-development in a Wheatbelt town have been revealed after the shire signed a multimillion-dollar contract to construct the pool five years after the town’s facility closed.

The Shire of Dumbleyung approved a $5.5m contract with Wet Deck Pools on March 4 to redevelop the long-closed Dumbleyung swimming pool.

The pool was first closed in October 2021 due to mechanical, electrical and structural failures of the 40-year-old plant room (filtration area), water treatment and filtration system.

Further investigations throughout 2022 revealed groundwater and clay-based material were blocking the flow of underground water, with the accumulation of water possibly causing the poor condition of nearby buildings.

The original shire-drawn design was published in March 2023 and the site was partially demolished between August and October 2024.

In mid-2025 Wet Deck Pools was awarded the tender for construction, and proposed its own alternative blueprint which the council selected instead, and kept a secret until now.

The modern aquatic facility includes a new 25m, six-lane main pool with all-abilities access, a beach-entry toddler pool, accessible ablutions and new plant and water filtration components.

Shire president Amy Knight said the contract signing was an important step in returning a safe, inclusive and much-loved community asset to Dumbleyung.

“Today is a really proud moment for our community,” she said.

“The swimming pool is about far more than recreation. It’s where our kids learn to swim, where families come together in summer, and where people of all ages can stay active and connected.

“After the pool’s closure in 2021, our community has been incredibly patient and supportive. Signing these contracts means we can now move confidently into project delivery.”

The project is fully government-funded, with the shire securing two lots of $1.6m from Federal Government’s growing regions program and State Government community and recreation facilities fund in 2024.

The Dumbleyung Future Fund allotted a third amount of $1.6m and $700,000 was taken from the shire’s swimming pool reserve granted $700,000.

Shire chief executive Gavin Treasure said the project reflects sustained community advocacy, careful planning and a strong focus on safety, accessibility and long-term value.

“This important project has evolved from addressing an urgent safety situation to delivering a full replacement facility that meets modern standards and community expectations,” he said.

“With contracts now executed, the shire and our contractor can move into the next phase, including final programming, site preparation and mobilisation; while continuing to keep the community informed as works progress.”