Katherine Aquatic Centre Upgrade
Project Update – Practical Completion Achieved
The Katherine Aquatic Centre Upgrade has now reached practical completion, marking a major milestone in the redevelopment of the old Katherine pool.
Some final elements are still to be installed, including the 25-metre shade structure, shade sails and the perimeter garrison security fencing. These works will affect the pool's opening times over the next few weeks.
Additional shade, storage, and a BBQ area will be installed by Council using local contractors.
Project Delivery and Acknowledgements
Council thanks lead contractor Sitzler Pty Ltd for delivering the design and construction of the upgraded facility. The final product is of a high standard and will support our community for many years to come. Council also acknowledges and thanks Sitzler’s subcontractors, including SCP, Liquid Blu and Blueprint Aquatics. All contributors, both on-site and off-site, should be proud of what has been delivered, particularly in achieving a clean safety record.
Project Funding Partners
This project has been delivered through strong partnerships and significant investment from all levels of government:
• Marion Scrymgour MP – $10 million commitment
• Commonwealth Government of Australia – $162,000 toward the Changing Places facility
• Northern Territory Government – $300,000 toward project design
• Katherine Town Council – approximately $2 million toward the overall project, including shade, splash zone and additional features, as well as providing the project management, contract administration and delivery within budget
Council thanks all funding partners and contributors for their support in delivering this long-awaited upgrade for the Katherine community.
Further updates will be shared as the remaining works are completed.

A New Era for Katherine, Aquatic Centre Reopens After Major Redevelopment
On Saturday, the 29th of November, Katherine will celebrate one of its most important community infrastructure milestones with the public reopening of the transformed Katherine Aquatic Centre.
Council is reopening the pool for community use from 29 November so that residents, families and the swim club can begin enjoying the upgraded facilities as soon as possible. To finalise stage one, additional shade structures may need to be installed next week. This work will require the pool to close again temporarily midweek. Council will provide advance notice to the community and ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.
The formal opening ceremony scheduled for 13 December will provide an opportunity to officially acknowledge our funding partners and celebrate this major investment in Katherine. A free, fun community event, Katherine’s Big Pool Party, will follow the official opening ceremony.
The redevelopment was made possible through coordinated support from all levels of government:
- In late 2022, the Australian Government committed $10 million under the Priority Community Infrastructure Program.
- The Northern Territory Government contributed $300,000 toward design and documentation.
- In 2024, the Australian Government, through its Accessible Australia initiative, contributed a further $162,000 to fast-track delivery of an assisted-change facility.
- Katherine Town Council contributed a 50 per cent co-contribution to the Changing Places facility and invested just under $2 million of its own funds to deliver the new splash pool, shade structures over the splash and 25 metre pools, and other community-requested improvements.
Mayor Joanna Holden noted that the redevelopment represents several years of work and decisions undertaken before the current Council was elected.
“This project is the result of major decisions, planning and commitment by the previous Council, supported by significant government investment. The current Council acknowledges and thanks those former elected members for progressing a project of such importance to Katherine. In our climate, a high-quality aquatic facility is not a luxury; it is essential for the health and well-being of our community.”
The renewed facility, which The Y Northern Territory will manage, also allows the Katherine Swimming Club to return to regular training and competition, supporting local athletes and strengthening community sport.
The reopening marks the end of Stage One of the precinct's long-term vision. Future stages, subject to funding, include expanded recreation areas, shaded BBQ and picnic areas, and additional family-friendly improvements.
Katherine Aquatic Centre Set to Reopen Under New Management
Published on Wednesday, 8 October 2025 at 10:19:59 AM
Katherine Town Council has ticked off another major milestone toward the much-anticipated reopening of the Katherine Aquatic Centre in November.
Following an extensive tender process, the Katherine Town Council announced that the Y Northern Territory (YMCA) has been selected as the new operator of the Aquatic Centre, with local company HD Pumps to provide specialist maintenance services.
The construction project is on schedule to be completed at the end of October and will deliver a modern, accessible, and safe facility for the entire community. The upgraded Centre will feature improved pools, shaded areas, family-friendly facilities, and spaces designed for lessons, training and community events.
The Y is well known in Katherine and has over 50 years of experience delivering recreation and aquatic services throughout the Territory. It has a strong local presence through its programs at the Henry Scott Recreation Centre and Little Mangoes Early Learning Centre.
Under the new management, the Katherine Aquatic Centre will offer expanded programs including health and wellbeing initiatives, swimming and water safety activities, events such as school holiday programs and community celebrations. The Y has committed to working closely with schools, sporting clubs and community groups to ensure equitable access and programs that meet Katherine’s needs.
Mayor Joanna Holden said the pools' reopening will be an exciting day for the Katherine: “We have all missed the pool while it’s been under construction, and it does feel like opening day can’t come soon enough.”
“In preparation for the opening, it's great news that the Y Northern Territory will be its onsite managers, with the experience, people, and passion to deliver great outcomes for our community.”
A revitalised Katherine Aquatic Centre is on the way.
In late 2022, the Northern Territory Government, under the Sport Community Infrastructure Projects Grants, awarded $300,000 to Katherine Town Council as a contribution toward the proposed upgrade of the 43-year-old Katherine Aquatic Centre. This funding accompanies a further $10 million committed by t
he Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour MP, under the Australian Government’s Priority Community Infrastructure Program (PCIP).
The redeveloped Katherine Aquatic Centre will include:
- the current 50-metre pool which will be extensively renovated
- A 25-metre, six-lane, 1.05-1.4-metre deep, heated pool with an accessibility ramp, diving blocks on the deep end, and a ledge for learn-to-swim classes. The pool will be particularly suited to swimming lessons and fitness classes
- a splash zone with play area, activation toys and ground sprays
- new plant and equipment rooms
- an assisted change facility to provide change room access to people with a disability.
The council is seeking further funding to incorporate:
- a solar energy upgrade to reduce running costs and carbon footprint
- a larger recreation/leisure area in the remaining space which could include BBQ areas and an additional playground.
This project information will be updated as the timeline progresses, and there may be further opportunities for community engagement through tools used on this page. The Council invites community members to post any questions they have about the project in the tool below. Your questions will be public and a team member will respond to you directly. These questions may also be used to create a project FAQ.
UPDATE: 5th September 2024
Major demolition work will begin at the Katherine Aquatic Centre next week in preparation for its $10 million redevelopment.
Over the past few days, the Australian Government erected its project sign, Sitzler hoarding has fenced off the construction site, and cranes are scheduled to arrive next week.
The contractor, Sitzler, completed the design phase and preliminary works through July and August, including site testing, setting up its construction facilities and securing subcontractor arrangements.
As the demolition work progresses, members of the public are encouraged to stay alert and take care with an increase in machinery moving on and off the construction site.

UPDATE: November 2024
The contractors have advised that both pool liners have been sourced from overseas (Italy), so the delivery will take longer than anticipated. We estimate the new opening date will be around October 2025.

Update 3 September 2025
Tenders have closed for the appointment of a new pool management organisation. The successful tenderer will be endorsed at the first Ordinary Council Meeting of the newly elected members on 23 September. The construction project's practical completion is on schedule for the end of October. The pool manager will induct and train their staff on site in early November, and the pool will be officially opened in mid-November and opened to the public by late November.
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