Future of five Sydney aquatic centres to feature in Council ballot

Local elections for the Sydney local government area of Cumberland this weekend will see voters asked for their opinion on the future management of the Council's five swim centres – at Auburn, Granville, Guildford, Merrylands and Wentworthville.

The ballot will see the following question asked: "Cumberland Council currently operates five public swimming pools in the Local Government Area. Each year the five pools expect to cater for a total of approximately 405,000 visitors. In 2018 it is estimated that the total operational costs of all five pools will exceed total revenues by approximately $2.15 million (which is 2.4% of Council's rates income), and it is expected that the shortfall) will increase in subsequent years. Council subsidises these pools by using other funding sources, such as rates to cover the shortfall.

"Do you support Council continuing to operate and subsidise all of these swimming pools? YES/NO."

Since the creation of the Cumberland Council in mid-2016, the NSW Government appointed Administrator, Viv May, has repeatedly questioned the Council’s aquatic and recreation facility provision.

Formed in May 2016 by the merger of parts of the former Auburn City, Parramatta City and Holroyd City councils, the new local authority commenced a review of all of its aquatic and recreation facilities in September last year, considering the future of ageing facilities including the Granville Swimming Centre as well as whether to proceed with the former Holroyd Council’s plans to develop a regional aquatic, recreation and sports facility.

The proposed Holroyd Regional Aquatic and Wellness Centre was to be a redevelopment of the former Merrylands pool, with its first stage - to include four pools, fitness facilities and wellness studios - set to cost $50 million and its second stage - to include water slides, tennis courts and outdoor facilities - set to cost a further $12 million.

Located in a socially deprived area with high levels of obesity, the regional level aquatic and recreation centre looked set to be entitled to funding support under a number of Federal and NSW Government programs.

Nonetheless, since his appointment May has been a consistent critic of the plans, calling them “unfunded” and advising local media outlets that “the wellness centre was an unaffordable expectation that there was no money for.”

While a ‘NO’ vote would suggest that the Council look to reduce funding of its centres, it is not certain whether a ‘YES’ vote would see the development of the Holroyd Regional Aquatic and Wellness Centre.

Commenting on overall leisure provision, May draws comparisons between the rate revenue spent on community facilities such as libraries and parks, stating “only 2.2% of rate income goes to subsidise pools,” he said.

“Local governments are service providers and that is what you pay rates for.”

May is also keen to develop a series of aquatic play parks across the Cumberland Council area, adding “funds are already there for one in Central Gardens and one for Duck River and I would like to see one in Wentworthville, so people don’t have to pay to keep cool in summer.

“Not everyone wants to swim in a pool and I think it is important for council to fund these things.”

Under redevelopment at the time of the Council merger, Auburn’s Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre reopened in April this year.

Images: The former Holroyd City Council's plans Regional Aquatic Wellness Centre (top) and the recently redeveloped Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre in Lidcombe (below).

29th June 2017 - OLYMPIC GREAT LAUNCHES SWIMMING SQUAD PROGRAM AT NEW AUBURN AQUATIC CENTRE 

17th May 2017 - AUBURN SWIMMING POOL INTRODUCES PRIVACY SCREEN FOR MUSLIM WOMEN

23rd March 2017 - BUSY WEEKS OF AQUATIC CENTRE OPENINGS

15th November 2016 - BROOKE HANSON LAUNCHES BELGRAVIA LEISURE’S NATIONAL WATER SAFETY CAMPAIGN

27th October 2016 - PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT FOR CUMBERLAND COUNCIL POOL STRATEGY 

29th September 2016 - NEW CUMBERLAND COUNCIL LOOKS TO REDUCE SUBSIDIES AT REDEVELOPED RUTH EVERUSS AQUATIC CENTRE

9th December 2015 - NEW OTIUM CONSULTANCY HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL STRONGER REGIONS FUNDING PROJECT SUCCESSES

9th July 2015 - HOLROYD CITY COUNCIL ADVANCES PLANS FOR REGIONAL AQUATIC WELLNESS CENTRE 

13th May 2015 - SWIM AND SURVIVE PROGRAM TO HELP GIVE WESTERN SYDNEY CHILDREN CRITICAL WATER SAFETY SKILLS

1st February 2011 - HOLROYD TAKES PLUNGE FOR NEW POOL