Free swimming to end in Wollongong?

With free swimming initiatives growing in England and in the week that Manukau Leisure's free swimming program was awarded in New Zealand, Wollongong City Council looks set to end one of Australia's last free aquatic centre access programs.

The Council's Aquatic Services Review proposes a flat $2 entry fee from 2011-12 for Wollongong's pools, including those that are now free at Berkeley, Helensburgh, Port Kembla, Thirroul, Unanderra and the city's Continental Pool.

In other cost-cutting measures, the Dapto Aquatic Centre could be closed for five months of the year, from mid-April until mid-September, with solar heating to replace the existing electric-gas heating. Contract management of the Corrimal Heated Pool is also being considered.

The proposals are in response to an independent review of the council's aquatic services, which cost ratepayers $3.6 million each year.

Council Infrastructure and Works Director Peter Kofod told the Illawarra Mercury that the document was only a "draft internal discussion paper" and the council had not formalised a view on any of the recommendations, stateing "if we chose to progress any points, we would talk to the community first."

The secret report warns of "significant media attention and community outcry".

The number of permanent staff across the eight pools would be cut from 26 to 24, and staff could be barred from taking leave during the three months of summer.

The report also suggest that season passes be introduced at a cost of $135, or $50 for children and pensioners.

Kofod said the document was developed as part of an ongoing review of all council services.

"Council has made a commitment to reduce our day-to-day operating budget to increase the amount of money we are spending on repairs and maintenance of the city's ageing roads, buildings, footpaths, parks and pools."

Kofod said benchmarks indicated that the council's five chlorinated pools and three saltwater pools (in addition to nine rock pools and 17 patrolled beaches) were unmatched by any other NSW Council, adding that "Wollongong is also one of the only councils that does not charge for all of its pools."

Shellharbour City Council introduced admission charges at its pools in Warilla, Albion Park and Oak Flats late last year, despite vocal community objections that included a petition with almost 2,500 signatures. The fees came on the back of a proposal to close the pools for an extra 11 weeks each year.

Wollongong's cold-water pools have been free since 1977, when the council adopted a resolution removing pool entry fees.

However, Kofod said the cost of running and maintaining the pools was increasing and the council needed to investigate what options it had to avoid lifting rates.

15th December 2009 - FREE SWIMMING: AN END OR A BEGINNING?

25th November 2009 - END OF FREE SWIMMING AT SHELLHARBOUR

20th November 2009 - FREE SWIMMING A SUCCESS IN ENGLAND AND WALES