Auckland Council urged to stop privatising management of aquatic and recreation centres

New Zealand’s Public Service Association (PSA) is calling for Auckland Council to stop privatising the management of aquatic and recreation centres and to consult with the people of Auckland.

The PSA represents members working across Council-run pools and leisure centres, including lifeguards, recreation assistants, customer support representatives, fitness consultants, Learn to Swim instructors, and team leaders.

PSA advise that Auckland Council has gone through a business case process for which tenders have closed. After a workshop on 24th July, it will decide on 1st August whether to hand management of all pools and leisure centres to private interests. All this has happened without any consultation with the public.

Kyran Narayan-Patel, delegate for PSA notes "our pools and leisure centres are for the people. Private businesses will just run them for their own profit, putting the quality of facilities and programs at risk. It’s up to the Council to deliver great services, not enrich private interests."

The proposal would see Auckland Council outsource management of the 22 facilities it currently operates. 19 other facilities already have outsourced management, and another is leased to a third-party provider.

Legislation requires the Council to review how it delivers its services, and it doesn’t have to consult with the public.

Narayan-Patel highlights "but just because Council can do that doesn’t mean they should. Our communities should have a say.”

PSA President Benedict Ferguson adds "Council pools and leisure centres are an essential part of community life and wellbeing for Aucklanders of all ages, abilities and walks of life. We go there to learn, to swim, play sport, and have fun.

"More private management will just make the facilities we rely on less effective and less accountable. When council staff run a network of facilities, they can share resources, skills and expertise to make the facilities more efficient and effective.

"And keeping management in public hands keeps Council directly accountable for running our pools well, and for the safety of tamariki, rangitahi and whānau who use our pools daily."

PSA note “The Council is looking at this privatisation to save costs” with PSA Delegate Gaby Frigerio advising this short-term thinking may well backfire and adding "outsourcing isn’t always sustainable in the long term. Setting up and monitoring contracts is expensive, and the private sector can’t guarantee it can provide services at a lower cost than the Council."

"Ultimately, what belongs to the public should stay in control of the public.”.