Campaspe Shire Council introduces free pool entry policy for summer

Campaspe Shire Council, located in north central Victoria, has introduced free admission to all seven outdoor pools for the 2022/23 summer season.

Mayor Chrissy Weller said the changes focus on meeting increasing community usage of pools and operating needs, including changes to fees charged, opening hours and the use by schools.

Mayor Weller noted “pool usage at some of our pools has declined across a number of years, and we would like to see if this is a direct result of the entry charge.”

In approving free entry, Council has acknowledged the loss of income, indicative at $88,000.

Other changes approved include:

Operational hours

• School term Weekdays 4pm to 8pm and Weekends 1pm to 8pm

• School holidays Weekdays 1pm to 8pm and Weekends 1pm to 8pm

• early morning opening hours will not change.

Opening date of Saturday, 26th November - a slightly later opening date may reduce the number of days the pool is closed due to the weather being below 25 degrees.

Council also approved changes to school groups using outdoor pools.

Mayor Weller added “if the request requires the operating hours to be varied, and no additional operating cost is incurred by Council, the school would pay no additional charges for a maximum of 10 days.

“Otherwise, a set fee of $6 per person would apply to school groups using outdoor pools to deliver their own Learn to Swim programs, again for a maximum of 10 days.”

Further evaluation will be completed at the end of the outdoor pool season to fully understand the impacts of the changes, prior to consideration for future swim seasons.

Image: Tongala Pool Credit: Campaspe Shire Council.