A long-awaited plan to build a new public swimming pool in Sydney’s south-west is a step closer, despite concerns the $62 million project could face further delays after the architecture firm that designed it collapsed.
Residents of Carnes Hill, a booming residential suburb about eight kilometres west of Liverpool, had been promised an aquatic and recreation centre since 2022. Liverpool City Council contracted Brewster Hjorth Architects to design the facility – until the company entered voluntary liquidation.
The architecture firm also designed the $122 million North Sydney Olympic Pool, the $65 million soon-to-be-completed Willoughby Leisure Centre and the $44 million Ashfield Aquatic Centre.
Liverpool Council’s acting chief executive Peter Scicluna this month said staff were blindsided by the collapse of the NSW government-recommended architect, and it was too early to determine whether the firm’s collapse would affect the timeframe or cost to deliver the Carnes Hill pool.
“Just over a month ago we were told on a Monday the firm would cease operations on Friday. At the moment, we are in the process of evaluating the work completed and what gaps exist,” Scicluna said.
“Once this has been resolved, council will be able to put the [construction] tender to market.”
The state government committed $53.4 million to fund the pool in 2022, but the council said surging construction costs had since increased the estimated cost to $62 million. Work on the redevelopment was meant to begin at the end of 2026, but the site remains a paddock of dry grass next to Pacific Palms Circuit in Carnes Hill. Construction is not expected to start until mid-2027.
The council said last week work was moving forward after the development application for stage one of the aquatic and recreation centre, which would deliver a 25-metre indoor pool, was approved after 11 months. However, the council said the second phase of the redevelopment, which includes a 50-metre pool, would be “subject to additional funding”.
Leppington Labor MP Nathan Hagarty was concerned the collapse of the architecture firm could further delay the project, which is expected to be complete by the end of 2028.
He said some Carnes Hill residents had to drive 20 or 30 minutes to get to the next closest pool.
“People don’t want some award-winning architectural piece of brilliance. They just want a pool that they can take their kids to swim, and the family can enjoy when the weather gets a bit hot,” he said.
Brewster Hjorth, which designed the revamped North Sydney Olympic Pool, entered voluntary liquidation in September.
A statement on its website in October said the architecture practice was now part of the Redfern-based firm Fuse Architects.
“Our people, knowledge and commitment to thoughtful public architecture continue as part of an expanded practice,” the message on Brewster Hjorth’s website said.
Brewster Hjorth and Fuse have been contacted for comment.
The Willoughby Leisure Centre redevelopment is in its final stages, while North Sydney Council is mired in a NSW Supreme Court battle with Brewster Hjorth over costs and delays to its drawn-out $122 million pool.
Willoughby Council said the firm’s collapse had not affected the redevelopment; North Sydney Council said it had not affected the pool or the litigation.
A Willoughby Council spokeswoman said an opening date for the revamped facility, which has been closed since November 2022, would be announced soon.
“Council did also not encounter any significant issues with Brewster Hjorth Architects during the project,” the spokeswoman said.
The council in 2025 increased the budget for the project from $38.9 million to $65 million, after challenges posed by ground conditions – a legacy of the area’s history as a rubbish tip – necessitated major changes to the renovation plans. This included demolishing and building 263 structural piers.
North Sydney Council launched court action against the firm over costs and delays caused by the steel roof structure built for the indoor pool at its revamped Milsons Point swimming complex.
The roof structure had to be pulled down due to “significant flaws” in 2023 and was later replaced.
The $122 million pool opened in August after a five-year renovation frustrated by cost blowouts and delays, which was originally estimated to cost $58 million.
Mayor Zoe Baker said: “The construction had been completed before Brewster Hjorth went into liquidation, and the council had commenced litigation long before they went into liquidation.
“It’s apparent the insurance is there, so the liquidation has very little impact on North Sydney Council.”
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