Timeline of OLC

Our best attempt at a timeline - contact us if it's wrong!

1956

Melbourne Olympics. Olympic Village re-purposed to address housing shortage.

1969-70s

Swimming pool added to the OLC building. OLC Site Investigations Report says “The original hall was designed by Leith Bartlett for the 1956 Olympics and was the social and spiritual centre of the village. It was re-purposed as a community youth centre after the Games and is now a basketball court.”

1975

Henderson inquiry into poverty, West Heidelberg was listed as a "district of special need" (ABC News, 2015)

1996

Last known upgrade was made to the Olympic Leisure Centre, including the addition of a spa and accessibility ramps.

2000s

2007, 2000, 2011: Heidelberg West Neighbourhood Renewal Surveys

2001

March: ‘Swimming for Muslim Women’ Evaluation Report produced as a Collaborative Project between Migrant Information Centre (Eastern Melbourne) and the Network of Australian Muslim Women. The report says:

“In 2000, the Network of Australian Muslim Women received funding from the City of Banyule to provide women only swimming sessions for Muslim women and their children at the Olympic Leisure Centre in Heidelberg. No suitable swimming venue was available in the eastern suburbs. The Olympic Leisure Centre in Heidelberg meets the needs of Muslim women because it provides:

Curtains so the public cannot view people swimming in the pool, and
Suitable changing rooms with partitions to ensure privacy.

Two five weekly sessions were held for Muslim women and their children during terms 3 and 4 of the 2000 school year. Over the two sessions, a total of 282 adults and 246 children used the pool, spa and sauna. Participants indicated high levels of satisfaction with the facilities and the female pool attendants or lifeguards.” (p.1)

2012

Ivanhoe Aquatic Masterplan developed

2014

Banyule Councillors receive briefing which presented options that would retain aquatic facilities at Olympic Leisure Centre and return the facility to an operating surplus. Report also advised that a do nothing approach would lead to decreasing usage and increasing operating costs of the facility.

2017

Olympic Park Master Plan adopted by Council on 14 March 2017 “following extensive community consultation.”

2020

The Local Government Act 2020 “governs [Banyule Council’s] work and is designed to improve local government democracy, accountability and service delivery for all Victorians”.

2020

18 May: A ‘Needs Analysis – Heidelberg West and Olympic Leisure Centre’ Prepared for Banyule City Council by Michelle Read, Sport & Leisure Solutions. This was given to OLC co-design participants as preparatory documentation.

30 September: Banyule’s Community Engagement: Our Future Together launched, “focused on establishing a baseline of community values, aspirations, focus areas and preferences for financial sustainability.” Began with an online survey and series of workshops. Engagement Findings Report and Summary of Key Findings published. This became Stage 1 of Banyule 2041 community vision adopted in July 2021.

2021

January: the 12m learn-to-swim pool was closed due to patrons being cut by sharp edges in the pool shell and the pool’s deteriorating condition.

July: an investigation identified a significant leak in the 25m pool, with associated severe structural damage, requiring complete flooring and subfloor replacement, soil excavation, and mould removal. “The 12-metre children’s pool was permanently closed for safety reasons … after several swimmers cut themselves on sharp edges in the pool shell. The 25-metre pool was also temporarily closed that year to repair leaks and structural damage and remove mould.” (The Age). The OLC remained closed until

October 2022. Temporary provisions were put in place for OLC members to access the Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre, but uptake of this service was anecdotally low.

July 19th: Council adopted Banyule 2041 community vision. Document library and timeline of Banyule 2041 here.

October 4: Reimagining Olympic Leisure Centre point 3.3 tabled in ordinary meeting of council as a three-part process: 1. Short term: Activation of Olympic Village Precinct, 2. Short to medium term: Re-imagining OLC Co-design process, 3. Long term: Heidelberg West Key Partners Collaborative Working Group

October 25: The Banyule Plan, Council Plan 2021-2025 and Financial Plan 2021-2031 adopted. Strategic objectives include an ‘inclusive and connected community’, a ‘well-built city’, ‘valued community assets and facilities’, and ‘trusted and responsive leadership’.

November: Community Co-Design Consultation process commenced, led by Cr Peter Dimarelos (Council web archive including timeline and all supporting documentation here). See also this flyer produced as part of the process. These pages document $200,000 being advanced for the co-design process. Information on the ‘Reimagining OLC’ page suggests council will commit $10 Million (see FAQ tab, “How can we be sure the project will go ahead?”). Later website update (2022) suggests state investment of $15M over five years.

2022

January 31: OLC Activations Report 2022 released, following engagement with 350-400 people over 20 days via 60 facilitated activities. The report finds "a high level of fidelity between what community says they want and what they will actively participate in, with the caveat being that these activities were free".

March: The community’s vision for the OLC is published on the Shaping Banyule website. Community feedback was invited, which remains published on the page.

Council report describes OLC co-design proposal as “an incredible opportunity to secure for the community a lasting and impactful resource” (The Age).

‘Reimagining Olympic Leisure’ identified as a 2023-2024 advocacy priority by Banyule Council, who declare publicly that they “seek to partner with the Victorian Government to support and deliver on the community co-design for the West Heidelberg precinct, with the state investing $15 million over 5 years”. They also say “Council is committed to delivering this project” under FAQs.

‘Redeveloping Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre to meet the community’s needs’ is also identified as a 2023-2024 advocacy priority by Banyule Council. This priority appears to have progressed to other levels of government for funding procurement, with residents encouraged to contact members of upper and lower houses.

The OLC co-design concept is finalised and presented to Council through several stages. See updates and document library here.

2023

February: the co-design team presented a Community Vision to Council which consisted of a comprehensive redesign of a new OLC and its aquatic facilities, as well as the Olympic Village Green space/area. At this same meeting, Council resolved to include OLC as a low-level facility in the Banyule Aquatic Strategy (released June 2023).

June: Banyule Aquatic Strategy released

26 June: Community Infrastructure Plan adopted following engagement in 2022-2023 (216 participants citywide)

2023 West Precinct Survey (19 responses, 74% support for precinct actions)

2024

West Precinct Survey (84 participants with a Mall pop-up on 7 June). “Residents in West Precinct called for increased investment in public amenities, such as a full library in Heidelberg West, accessible internet, and enhanced social services, especially for disadvantaged communities. Cleanliness and aesthetic improvements in public areas were also emphasised, with suggestions to refurbish the Bell Street Mall and the Olympic Village to make them vibrant community spaces.” P.7 lists all current and future projects for West Precinct, note that their description ‘increase use and advocate for improvements to OLC’ uses ambiguous wording that does not suggests the absence of aquatics. P.8 “There were calls for a library in this area and the transformation of existing facilities like swimming pools and community spaces. While changes to playgrounds and the Olympic Leisure Centre (OLC) were valued, a number of respondents expressed disappointment at the lack of progress at the OLC given the many years of advocacy.”

November: Council resolved to continue analysis into the feasibility of the co-design vision. However, no commitment was made regarding the fulfilment of this vision. A follow-up report was tabled to be received by late 2024. No report was tabled in late 2024 or early 2025, despite repeated inquiry from the co-design members. Council has stated that “due to the general election of Council in late 2024 along with comprehensive reform associated with mandatory training and induction requirements for Councillors, this report was necessarily delayed.”

2024

October: Victorian Council Elections. New councillors announced in Banyule, Cr Mary O’Kane elected to represent Olympia Ward.

2025

2025-2026: Council finalising $18.5M project to redevelop Olympic Park. This facility is used by the Heidelberg United Football Club whose majority of members live outside 3081. The new facilities are not perceived as community spaces by the 3081 community.

May 26: Petition to “respect and uphold the outcomes” of the OLC community co-design proposal tabled at council with over 350 signatures. The petition states: "We, the undersigned, petition Banyule City Council to respect and uphold the outcomes of the Olympic Leisure Centre Co-design Team, comprising Banyule residents, as well as the findings of the broader community consultation. The community has clearly expressed its desire for the refurbishment and ongoing maintenance of the Olympic Leisure Centre. We deserve a facility that retains aquatic services, creates new spaces for connection and learning, and takes a holistic approach to fostering health, community, safety, and amenity. Honour the community's voice and the consultation process, and commit to preserving and enhancing this vital space."

Tuesday June 17: co-design participants were first notified via email from Banyule Council that a report concerning the OLC was to be tabled for a vote on Monday 23rd June.

Wednesday June 18: Council publicly released the agenda for its next Ordinary Meeting on 23rd June, including the report on the OLC and its associated recommendation to be put for vote.

Thursday 19th June: 6:30pm, Shop 48 (Bell St. Mall), a small group meeting for co-design participants hosted by Council staff was held to outline this report. Feedback from this meeting was neither solicited nor incorporated into the report.

June 19: The Age publishes an article, 'Heidelberg West rallies against council plan to close its run-down pool' by journalist Adam Carey: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/heidelberg-west-rallies-against-council-plan-to-close-its-run-down-pool-20250618-p5m8gp.html. Readable version behind paywall at https://archive.is/bcTKG#selection-3361.0-3361.71

June 20: ABC News (online) publishes an article, 'Community push to save local pool in the old athlete's village from 1956 Melbourne Olympics' by journalist Margaret Paul. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-20/olympic-leisure-centre-banyule-heidelberg-west-closure-decision/105438226

June 21, 1pm: Emergency community meeting called with Councillors, facilitated by Cr Mary O’Kane at Shop 43, Bell St Mall. Thirty-four community members spoke, with 150-200 in attendance. Cr Mary O’Kane (Olympia Ward), Deputy Mayor Cr Peter Castaldo (Griffin Ward), Cr Rick Garotti (Grimshaw Ward), Cr. Matt Wood (Hawdon), and Cr Alida McKern (Chelsworth Ward) attended. A summary of the meeting is published on the OVAN website.

June 23: Banyule Council voted and passed Resolution CO2025/77 at their ordinary meeting on 23 June, 2025. This motion was passed under item 4.1 'Olympic Leisure Centre - future operating model' and involves decommissioning of the OLC aquatics. The meeting attachments include a report by Otium Planning that the council commissioned to support this motion. Notably, this Otium report discusses historic disadvantage in the area, social geography, inequality and cultural complexities but none of this is taken into account in the report's final recommendations. The meeting attachments also include the Re-Imagining OLC Final Report (2022) that shows the community vision for the OLC following the co-design process. See Ordinary-Council-Meeting-Attachments-23-June-2025 (see Attachment 3 OLC Co-Design Process and Outcomes Report 2022 p. 191, and Attachment 4 OLC Review April 2025 p. 232).

Recording of the meeting includes speeches by Dr Aiden Varan, Abdi Mohammed, Jeanette Peter-Timmermans and Dr Ben Thomasiello who addressed Council in person at this meeting and spoke AGAINST the officer recommendation. The recording also includes the comments by Councillors in explaining their decision to vote for the officer recommendation. Olympia Ward Councillor O’Kane was the only councillor who voted against the officer recommendation and in favour of retaining the aquatics. Notably, Cr Wood states that “I do believe low attendance numbers are partly because of the poor state of the facility. In 2022, Council engaged in a co-design process to shape the site's future. If we're being honest, and with the benefit of hindsight, that process was flawed from the start, setting unrealistic expectations that should not have been asked of our community.” Cr Wood’s speech begins here.

Following June 23 vote: notice of the closure was communicated to pool users via English language signs and an email to members. Those signs were A4 notices posted on the noticeboard amongst other routine notices, not prominently placed. 37% of West Heidelberg speak a language other than English.

July 14th: Ordinary Council Meeting, This meeting council passed a motion to provide a $2.269 million gym equipment contract for the Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre and Watermarc (Greensborough) at item 3.1, and the new Active Banyule Plan at item 4.2. The records of this meeting also contain several public questions from the OLC/Heidelberg West community, including two public questions from members of the Somali Community who use the women’s-only swimming sessions at the pool. These questions are published in the minutes from p. 34 onwards. The recording of the meeting shows comments by councillors re. the cost of gym equipment contract allocated at item 3.1 and at item 4.2 Active Banyule Plan, councillors express their concern that Banyule falls below the state average for physical activity. Councillor Curry expresses concern about data collection and boosting women’s engagement in physical activity, notable when the council is also closing a facility that offers women-only swimming and exercise sessions for the Muslim community who will face additional barriers without it.

August: Banyule Banner publishes update on Council’s 2025-2029 budget into the new financial year. Council state ‘you told us you wanted Banyule to invest in existing assets. That’s why 81% of our capital works budget will be spent on improving our assets and infrastructure’ (p.6). While OLC is being commissioned, Council announce that they are devoting $1.9 million in this budget to Watermarc ‘improvements’. This is on top of a $2.269 million dollar contract for new gym equipment for both Watermarc and Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre (described above) that was passed at the previous council meeting on 14th July.

August 4: Banyule Council Ordinary Council meeting. This meeting contains a vote on a new Bell St Mall Masterplan that shows plans for a library, which is news to the community. Why are two libraries being now proposed? These meeting minutes also contain 13 public questions from the Heidelberg West/OLC community. Minutes of meeting with question and answer responses here from p. 40 onwards.

August 14: Greens MP Aiv Puglielli (North-Eastern Metropolitan) asks a constituency question to the Minister for Outdoor Recreation about the OLC in the Legislative Council: ‘My question is to the Minister for Outdoor Recreation. The Olympic Leisure Centre in West Heidelberg is an important community pool. It has served the community since it opened in the 1970s at the site of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. It has provided an excellent place for people to come together to enjoy the pool and other facilities, as well as promoting a healthy and active lifestyle and being a place for people to socialise, learn to swim and more. Many people in my electorate want the Olympic Leisure Centre to continue to operate, and they want to continue to have access to these programs. Minister, will your government step in to ensure that the Heidelberg West community, the Olympic village community, continue to have access to affordable and accessible swimming programs, including culturally appropriate sessions as well as learn-to-swim classes?’

August 26: Royal Lifesaving Australia releases 2025 National Drowning Report. This report shows a 27% increase on the 10-year average of drowning deaths in the last 12 months. The report states “Where country of birth was known, 33% were born overseas, consistent with the 10-year average. Drowning rates double for those from the most disadvantaged areas and nearly triple for regional and remote residents compared to major cities.”

September 1: Save Our Pool community group deliver a petition to Banyule Council with over 2,500 signatures (FB post here). The petition urgently calls on Council “to protect and preserve the aquatic facilities at Olympic Leisure Centre—a vital public asset that serves as a hub for health, recreation, safety, and social connection. In line with Banyule Council’s 2041 ‘Shaping Our Future’ priorities, we urge you to:

1. Commit to keeping all aquatic facilities at Olympic Leisure Centre open and fully operational

2. Allocate funding towards maintaining and improving Olympic Leisure Centre into the future

3. Strongly advocate as a matter of urgency to the State and Federal governments to invest in Olympic Village

4. Engage and consult with the community transparently and respectfully in all decisions affecting the pool

Let’s work together to ensure our pool remains a cherished and accessible resource for generations to come. Save Our Pool. Save Our Community. Invest in Our Future.”

September 1: The wider Heidelberg West and OLC community rally outside Council Chambers from 6pm, prior to the commencement of their ordinary council meeting at 7pm (FB post here). Speakers at the rally represented a range of community groups and pool users, including the Muslim women of our community who attend the female-only swimming sessions on Friday night.

September 5: Article by Margaret Paul published on ABC News (digital): ‘Doctors urge council to keep Melbourne pool open or face ‘serious’ health consequences’. Article features interviews with women who attend the female-only swimming sessions at the OLC for health and wellbeing. It also describes the impact of the closure of the children’s pool on this community, with children no longer allowed to attend the female-only swimming session and therefore not learning to swim.

September 6: The issue of public pool closures gains momentum in the media. The Age publishes a feature article, ‘Fish Out of Water’ or (‘A fundamental part of growing up’: Why Aussie kids can’t swim any more’ in the SMH) on the 'bleak picture' of declining swimming and water safety skills in children and young people across the nation, drawing on Royal Life Saving Australia's 2025 drowning report. The article describes significant declines in swimming skills across the nation, with disadvantaged communities the most at risk, and public pool closures cited as one of the contributing factors. Drowning rates in the last 12 months are the highest on record and one in four schools no longer hold swimming carnivals due to poor swimming skills.

September 8: Conversation Hour on ABC news Radio (774) features talkback on the OLC issue with an interview with AMA president plus community callers. Recording available here from 18:45 onwards - the story is returned to throughout the episode. Callers include people from Port Fairy and Bairnsdale who are also fighting to save their community pools.

September 20: Community Pool Party at the OLC has over 150 attendees all in support of retaining the aquatic facilities at OLC.

September 22: Petition requesting the retention of the aquatic facilities tabled at Banyule Council Meeting with 2500 signatures, over 1500 local signatures.