City of Newcastle challenges local MP over ‘untrue’ learn to swim program claims

The City of Newcastle has taken Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery to task over her claims about the lack of learn to swim classes at its council-owned facilities.

The local state member used today's World Drowning Prevention Day to criticise the council, stating it was “unfathomable” only one of its five public pools - Lambton Park War Memorial - offered learn to swim classes.

Hornery also called on the council to expand the initiative at its four other centres (Wallsend, Beresfield, Mayfield and Stockton), saying ratepayers should have access to the crucial services.

As reported by the Newcastle Weekly, Hornery  declared council chose not to participate in the NSW Government’s Learn to Swim Program, despite receiving an invitation to do so, noting “City of Newcastle needs to lift its game.

However, the City of Newcastle declared the MP’s assertions were “completely untrue”, with a spokesperson advising "neither City of Newcastle or specialist pool operator BlueFit, who runs our five inland pools, were approached or informed of the NSW Government’s Learn to Swim initiative promoted through the Royal Life Saving Society Australia.

“At no point did council or BlueFit elect not to undertake the program. 

“The external operator who previously delivered learn to swim lessons at Beresfield Swimming Centre (Joy of Water) chose to terminate that arrangement in 2023 as a commercial decision.

“Prior to this, both CN (City of Newcastle) and BlueFit had provided repeated assurances that Joy of Water was welcome to continue operating at Beresfield Swimming Centre.

“The operator of that small business has since made the decision to work for BlueFit continuing to deliver learn to swim classes at Lambton pool. 

“There are a significant number of specialist swimming lesson operators in the area, including Aspire Aquatics Academy and Jump and Swim Academy, which are located less than 3km from Beresfield Swimming Centre.

“It should therefore not come as a surprise that no-one is keen to run a competing business from Beresfield pool.”

The spokesperson told the Newcastle Weekly that City of Newcastle and BlueFit were dedicated to ensuring the community had access to safe, enjoyable water spaces for recreation, noting "we deliver or support a range of initiatives as part of a holistic approach to improving water safety across the LGA.

“Members of our Aquatics team and representatives from BlueFit are currently attending a National Water Safety Summit in Sydney run by Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia on behalf of the Australian Water Safety Council.

“The conference forms part of Australian plans to commemorate World Drowning Prevention Day, bringing together delegates from across all areas of the water safety sector to reflect on progress and explore opportunities to strengthen alignment to the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030.

“BlueFit provides a range of accessible programs at council’s inland pools tailored to the needs of diverse community groups.

“During the most recent season, this included providing weekly learn to swim lessons at Lambton Pool to more than 300 local families, which was a 10% increase on the previous year.

“BlueFit is also preparing to expand its offering further, including cost-effective school holiday intensive programs across all Newcastle inland pools.

“Councillors were informed about this via a meeting (with BlueFit) several months ago.

“These initiatives are part of BlueFit’s broader commitment to supporting access to aquatic education, particularly for residents from low socio-economic backgrounds, culturally and linguistically-diverse communities, and people born overseas.

“Additionally, we provide lane space for local schools to undertake the NSW Department of Education’s Year 2 school swimming scheme at all five of our inland pools during Term 4 annually.

“This is a two-week intensive learn-to-swim initiative designed to enhance water safety and swimming skills for all students. 

“In 2022 and 2023, we part-funded the Splash of Colour Swimming program to support its delivery of inclusive swimming lessons for people from diverse backgrounds at indoor swimming centres in Newcastle.

“It’s disappointing the state member didn’t mention City of Newcastle is currently working with the community on the development of a year-round indoor pool suitable for learn to swim classes.”

The council has also invested $1 million in its 2025/26 Budget to progress the design of the facility as a priority under its Inland Pools Strategy 2043, which sets out to ensure Newcastle’s network of public swimming pools are fit-for-purpose in the long-term.

The spokesperson went on to tell the Newcastle Weekly "our commitment to water safety also extends beyond the provision of swimming lessons.

“For the past 60 years, our lifeguards and aquatic staff have been empowering children and adults with the knowledge they need to stay safe at our beaches, ocean baths and pools through our free Water Safety Education Program.

“This is delivered to more than 13,000 children across 45 primary schools annually during an eight-week period to promote the crucial water safety and drowning prevention messages.

“Almost 150,000 students have engaged with the program during the past decade alone.

“Our commitment to water safety has also seen the development of a new series of multilingual beach safety guides this year.

“They provide translations of vital information in nine different languages to better inform people from culturally and linguistically-diverse backgrounds about the dangers of swimming at our beaches and ocean baths.”

Image: Newcastle's Lambton Park War Memorial.