The ACT Integrity Commission has revealed it launched an investigation into the rezoning and redevelopment of the Phillip swimming pool after suspecting corrupt conduct.
The commission on Wednesday revealed it launched its investigation in November 2025 after assessing the circumstances surrounding the suggested changes to the Territory Plan for the pool site.
"This investigation is in its early stages, and no further comments will be made," the commission said in a statement.
The commission has the legal power to launch investigations without waiting for referrals or complaints if it suspects on reasonable grounds the matter involves corrupt conduct.
The confirmation of the pre-existing investigation followed Opposition Leader Mark Parton's separate referral to the watchdog.
Development firm Geocon bought the site from its long-term operators in November 2022, weeks after the requirement for the 50-metre pool on the site was removed in a draft Territory Plan variation.
Sport and Recreation Minister Yvette Berry on Tuesday conceded public servants had let the government and community down by claiming a detailed analysis had shown only a 25-metre pool was needed when no analysis was ever completed.
But Ms Berry said she was not aware of any meeting between Geocon and the government taking place before the planning rules were changed.
The Integrity Commission received 150 corruption complaints in 2024-25. In the same year, the commission decided 172 corruption reports, dismissing 167 and determining five justified investigations, the watchdog's annual report said.
Ms Berry and the then planning minister, Mick Gentleman, had signed off on a recommendation for a "detailed aquatic facility planning study" but the public service never completed the work and could not provide any evidence to the ACT Audit Office they had communicated that decision to the ministers.
An Auditor-General's report showed officials had in 2021 told ministers to consider removing the requirement for an ice-skating rink and "structurally difficult and costly to achieve" 50-metre swimming pool on the site given work was under way on a new ice sports centre in Tuggeranong.
"The provision of smaller 25-metre pool and program pool will be less expensive to construct and will be more financially sustainable in respect to ongoing operation and maintenance costs," a brief said.
The draft Territory Plan went out for public consultation on November 1, 2022, including the detail about change to require a 25-metre pool for Phillip.
Geocon bought the site in December 2022 and the company has since secured approval to build on the site 286 units, a new aquatic facility including a 25-metre pool and cafe, and basement parking in the first stage of a planned project to construct nearly 700 units on the site.
The planning approval, issued in December 2025, does not cover the areas of the 50-metre pool and ice rink, which would be redeveloped later under Geocon's proposal.
The outdoor, 50-metre swimming pool at Phillip was built by the Commonwealth government and opened in 1971. Glencora Pty Ltd was first granted a 10-year lease in 1979 and built the ice-skating rink, which provided heating for the pool from its refrigeration units.
Glencora operated the site on rolling 10-year leases and applied for a 99-year lease, to effectively privatise the site under the ACT's leasehold system, in 1998. Following a decade of negotiations and a further payment, the ACT issued Glencora a 99-year lease in 2008, backdated to 1999.
The government in January promised a new, 50-metre outdoor swimming pool in Woden, with the possibility work could begin as soon as 2028, after a vocal and long-running community campaign against the loss of a 50-metre pool in the area.
