Inside the campaign to Save Phillip Pool
From The Blue Room by sabra.lane
February 28, 2026 · 29 min · Season 2 · Episode 3
About this episode
The episode discusses the successful grassroots campaign to save Phillip Pool in Canberra, highlighting community efforts and the implications for public swimming facilities.
Save Phillip Pool is a Canberra community group that's just had a big win. The ACT government has backed down on plans to replace a 50m outdoor pool with a 25m one. Canberra woman Sarah Ransom got in touch with The Blue Room about the long-fight to save the pool. The story is one of grit, courage and determination by a group of everyday Australians who persuaded the territory government to do the right thing by its community. Surf Life Saving Australia estimates 40 per cent of public pools will close by 2030. So the lessons learned by the Save Phillip Pool grassroots campaign might be inspirting and enlightening to others around the nation. Featured: Sarah Ransom - Save Phillip Pool campaign This issue explores: Phillip Pool, swimming, pool swimming, mental health, community swimming, access to public swimming pools, ACT government, independent MP Fiona Carrick, urban development, ACT Aquatic strategy. More information: Save Phillip Pool - Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/savephillippool/ Royal Surf Living Saving Australia - 500 Pools may Close https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/about/news-and-updates/news/2024/mar/500-public-pools-may-close-without-strategic-investment
People in this episode
Host: sabra.lane
Guest: Sarah Ransom
Topics covered
- community activism
- public swimming pools
- local government
- swimming
- mental health
- urban development
Keywords
- Phillip Pool
- swimming
- community swimming
- ACT government
- grassroots campaign
- public pools
- mental health
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Save Phillip Pool, ACT government, Surf Life Saving Australia, Royal Surf Living Saving Australia
Places: Canberra, ACT
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