Albany needs a hydro-therapy pool

06/03/2026

For anyone who needs support while waiting for the hydrotherapy pool.

Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA is pleased to announce the commencement of the new Albany Arthritis Support Group, designed to bring people together in a safe, welcoming environment.
Do you live in or near Albany and have an arthritis-related condition?
Are you interested in attending a monthly Arthritis Support Group, meeting on a Thursday morning from 10:00am to 11:30am?
If so, we’d love to hear from you.
Living with arthritis can be challenging, but you don’t have to go through it alone.
Joining a support group gives you the opportunity to:
• Talk freely about your experiences and feelings in a non-judgmental space
• Socialise and make new friends
• Share helpful hints and practical tips
• Give and receive encouragement and support.
Many people find that being part of a group creates a sense of belonging and connection with others who truly understand.
People like Kerry and Suzie have already experienced the benefits of attending similar groups:
“I find attending the support group to be a positive and motivating experience! There is inspiration to be gained by speaking with others coping well with their condition.” — Kerry
“Everyone has something to give through advice, friendship, comfort, and encouragement. I have learned many ‘tips and tricks’ that helped me gain back some independence!” — Suzie
The group will be facilitated by a trained volunteer leader who is also living with an arthritis-related condition. Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA will provide free resources, ongoing support, and administration, along with a central venue (details to follow once registrations are received).
If you’re interested in possibly attending, please register your interest here: https://www.arthritiswa.org.au/event/new-albany-arthritis-support-group/
Once you have registered, we’ll be in touch with venue details and next steps before the first meeting on 9th April.
We hope you’ll consider joining us.

05/03/2026

Thankyou Scott Leary for continuing to fight alongside with us.Scott Leary MLA - Member for Albany

https://www.nationalswa.com/opinion-months-of-silence-on-albany-hydrotherapy-pool-shows-pattern-of-delay/ #:~:text=Member%20for%20Albany%2C%20Scott%20Leary,the%20status%20of%20the%20pool.

Feb242026Press Releases Member for Albany, Scott Leary MLA, says the State Government’s continued failure to provide a clear answer on the future of the Albany Health Campus hydrotherapy pool demonstrates a troubling pattern of delay that is leaving patients without vital rehabilitation services. ...

14/01/2026

Thankyou again Scott Leary MLA - Member for Albany for your ongoing support.

13/01/2026

Thankyou for your support Albany Advertiser todays paper P1 & 3
Scott Leary MLA - Member for Albany

10/01/2026

Thankyou Albany Advertiser for your ongoing support by keeping this situation in the public eyes.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bym66r193/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Pressure is rising to decide on the future of Albany’s hydrotherapy pool as the Albany MLA joins community advocates calling for the State Government to release the results of a feasibility study

07/01/2026

Thanks Scott Leary MLA - Member for Albany for being part of the push to re-open.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1K9Yytzi57/

Hydrotherapy Pool at Albany Health Campus.

Our community, especially people living with disability, injury, and chronic illness have been calling for this vital facility to be made available. I’ve been advocating, meeting with government agencies and have contacted the Minister to make sure this issue stays on the government’s agenda.

The current government has now completed a feasibility study into the future of the hydrotherapy pool. I am waiting for the results and recommendations to be released.

Suggesting the Bodycare pool as an alternative is not good enough. Although a great facility, it does not have the appropriate accessibility features or hoists required for people with disability to use it safely. Recommending an inaccessible option excludes the very people who rely most on hydrotherapy.

Hydrotherapy is not a luxury, it is essential healthcare for rehabilitation.
Albany deserves an accessible, fit-for-purpose hydrotherapy pool.

12/12/2025

Hi all,
Could you all complete this, as every little bit of information will help with future planning of a hydrotherapy pol at ALAC. Please write ‘done’ in the comments on this post.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BhY2u15ay/?mibextid=wwXIfr

What does a healthier, happier Albany look like to you?

The City of Albany is developing a Health and Wellbeing Plan and we want to hear from you.

While State Government agencies are primarily responsible for the health and well-being of community members, local governments can also improve health and well-being through the range of services they provide.

This is your opportunity to help us set priorities to improve health and well-being for everyone. Your feedback will help the City to identify and prioritise actions that have the greatest positive impact on our community.

Complete the short survey and go into the draw to win one of three $100 supermarket gift cards.

🔗 https://bit.ly/48DCyRt

06/12/2025

Hi all,

We’ve contacted the Western Australia Country Health Service (WACHS) and received an update. They confirmed that the feasibility study for the Hydrotherapy pool space has been completed, and the report with recommendations is currently under review.

It’s not the update we were hoping for, but it’s still movement. We were initially told we’d have an outcome not long after the feasibility study was submitted some months ago, but unfortunately we’re still waiting. That said, the delay may actually be a positive sign, if they weren’t interested, we likely would have received a quick “no.” The longer timeframe suggests they may still be working through funding or solution options. We know the statistics are firmly in our favour, they cant say that's not a fact.

With the holiday season approaching, nothing is likely to happen before or during January. Let’s hope the wait ends up being worth it.

All the best for the holiday season, and let’s hope we get a late Christmas present from WACHS!

Best wishes.
Veronica & Janet

23/11/2025

Yes, still waiting for the results of the WACHS Hydro-therapy Pool feasibility study and what WACHS will decide. Either way need to wait for a statement. If not positive, we wont stop pushing.

In the meantime, help by completing this so our ideas are reinforced to The City of Albany the need for such a pool at ALAC.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ExBXMaY5D/

Have you say on open consultations

👉 Community Development Strategy
The City of Albany is reviewing its Community Development Strategy, which helps guide activities and resources that support our community to thrive. We’re seeking your input to ensure it reflects local priorities.

👉 Health & Wellbeing Plan
Community feedback is invited to help shape the City’s new Health & Wellbeing Plan.

👉 Youth Friendly Albany Plan
The City is also reviewing the Youth Friendly Albany Plan, which outlines actions that support young people aged 10 - 25.

👉 Coming soon: Ellen Cove Swimming Enclosure Survey
A community survey on the future of the Ellen Cove Swimming Enclosure will open shortly.

Have your say: https://bit.ly/3LVfO7L

27/09/2025

Hi all,

Things are progressing with WA Country Health regarding the hospitals Hydro-therapy pool but we have to be a little more patient, hoping for a statement soon. Regardless we will still need a hydro-therapy pool at ALAC in year to come.
Jason Jordan Great Southern FM program 'Albany Talks' on Fridays from 12noon till 3pm is having prospective councillors come in over the next few Fridays. If you want to know if they would support ALAC having a Hydro Pool then ask him to ask them.
Please text - Studio SMS 0483 95 1009 or office@greatsouthernfm.com

30/07/2025

Good luck Denmark, Albany a city won’t be able to get a hydrotherapy pool for 8 - 10 years at ALAC. If your council can have this happen before the ALAC upgrade congratulations to Denmark and embarrassing to Albany council.
Albany Hospital closed their hydrotherapy years ago and after years of asking they’re finally looking into it and will let us know in Sept, there’s a pool there, they just have to repair and maintain it.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AxkVt4LyG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The Shire of Denmark is reconsidering a long-standing community aspiration: the development of an indoor heated aquatic facility.

Council have agreed to consider updated financial modelling and building plans for a proposed aquatic facility featuring a 25-metre lap pool and a programmable hydrotherapy/baby learn-to-swim pool, at a Special Meeting of Council scheduled for 12 August 2025.

Following decades of community advocacy and numerous Council discussions dating back to the early 1990s, the Denmark Aquatic Centre Committee Inc. (DACCI), in collaboration with Shire officers, has recently completed updated concept plans and financial modelling, supported by funding from the Shire’s Aquatic Facility Development Reserve and DACCI contributions.

Shire President Kingsley Gibson said, with the finalisation of up-to-date financial modelling and considering the long-standing community aspiration for a pool, Council wanted to take this opportunity to share the information openly and transparently.

“Any possible decision to pursue a pool would be among the biggest the Denmark Shire has ever made, and we owe it to our residents and ratepayers to deal with this matter thoroughly and carefully, and to maximise transparency and accountability throughout,” Cr Gibson said.

Following the review of updated financial modelling and the proposed facility plans at the Special Meeting of Council in August, councillors will then decide whether to move forward on the project or not

Councillor Gibson stressed the decision to hold the special council meeting did not indicate that Council would proceed with a pool and that all options, including not seeking to progress a pool, were available.

“Whatever decisions Council might ultimately make about the pool, it is important that all community members have the ability to appreciate the factors being considered fully.”

“An aquatic facility centred in our community would undoubtedly benefit the health and wellbeing of many people in our Shire, but just like our library and recreation grounds, an aquatic centre requires ratepayer subsidies to fund the initial construction and ongoing operational costs,” Cr Gibson said.

“It’s crucial Council understands and accepts the costs and risks of such a project before making any decision to proceed further.”

29/07/2025

Gee, it’s happening everywhere. This government needs to realise that hydrotherapy pools keep people out of hospitals and in the long run saves money. https://www.facebook.com/share/14Lj1kKjzkT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Have you been impacted by the closure of the hospital hydrotherapy pool? 🏊‍♀️👇 St John of God hospital in Bunbury has confirmed it will keep its hydrotherapy pool shut indefinitely.

The pool closed in April while repairs were looked at.

The private hospital has since told patrons the pool will not re-open because the work required will be 'complex' and 'costly.'

It is working with pool users on alternatives to hydrotherapy.

However the news has been disappointing for some of our listeners, including Veronica who told ABC South West she used the pool after three major operations in seven months last year.

"It's helped me immensely and with the closure I've just gone backwards so much," she says.

"I love the water so I'll find water anywhere but with this cold weather and doing rehab you really need the warmth and the depth."

How have you been impacted? 👇