Geothermal Industries Australia (GIA) was engaged to deliver the geothermal drilling scope for the Healthways Aquatic Centre in Melbourne, a landmark ultra-energy-efficient aquatic facility designed to set new benchmarks for sustainability in the sector. The project required drilling 12 geothermal probes to a depth of 100 metres each to facilitate both pool heating and building air conditioning—a demanding dual-purpose application that required precise thermal load balancing. Aquatic centres are notoriously energy-intensive, with constant demands for pool water heating, space conditioning, and ventilation. Working within a constrained urban site alongside other trades, GIA mobilised appropriate drilling equipment to suit Melbourne’s variable ground conditions, including clay overburden, weathered basalt, and occasional rock layers. Despite the challenges of operating in a live facility environment with strict noise and access restrictions, our team successfully completed all 12 boreholes to the full 100‑metre specification without incident.
For this installation, GIA utilised our 40DN Muovitech Turbo pipe as the geothermal probe material. The 40DN diameter was selected for its optimal balance of thermal transfer efficiency and hydraulic performance over the 100‑metre depth, making it ideal for the continuous heating and cooling demands of an aquatic centre. Muovitech Turbo pipe’s robust construction and high burst pressure ratings ensured reliable installation through Melbourne’s challenging subsurface conditions. Each of the 12 probes was carefully installed, thermally grouted to maximise ground contact, and pressure‑tested to verify system integrity. The combination of GIA’s drilling precision and the high‑performance Muovitech Turbo pipe delivered a durable, energy‑efficient geothermal loop field that will provide consistent, reliable thermal energy to meet the centre’s pool heating and HVAC requirements for decades, drastically reducing operational energy costs compared to traditional gas or electric systems.
Finally, GIA extends its sincere thanks to the project team and mechanical services contractor for engaging us on this innovative Healthways Aquatic Centre project. Their vision for an ultra-energy-efficient aquatic facility aligned perfectly with GIA’s commitment to delivering high-performance geothermal solutions. We are proud to have contributed to a project that demonstrates how geothermal technology can transform one of the most energy-intensive building types—aquatic centres—into a model of sustainability. We look forward to future opportunities to bring our geothermal drilling expertise to similar high-performance projects across Melbourne and beyond.