Wadeye community pool in Northern Territory closes due to lifeguard shortages

Unfortunately for the residents of Wadeye, located in the Northern Territory's remote west, approximately 400 kilometres from Darwin, their multi-million dollar pool that reopened in November 2023 after five years offline due to lack of maintenance has now shut its doors to the public again - this time due to staff shortages.

The Northern Territory Government partnered with the Council to redevelop the pool, providing $4.5 million to the project and Council contributing $300,000.

West Daly Regional Council announced via social media on 23rd January 2024 that the Wadeye Community Pool had been closed “due to staffing issues”.

The Council’s post on Social media advised “The safety and wellbeing of our community members are our top priorities, and we are taking immediate action to address this situation.

“Our dedicated team is working diligently to resolve the staffing concerns and have the pool operational again as soon as possible.

“We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.”

Council posted a further update on 5th February, seeking expressions of interest for locals interested in lifeguard training.

On the Wadeye pool’s reopening in November 2023, it was noted that without access to a pool, children had been forced to take respite from the region’s scorching heat by swimming in saltwater crocodile-inhabited creeks and rivers.

While an attempt was made to train up a number of Wadeye residents as lifeguards, in a bid to both bolster local employment and help keep children safe around water, West Daly Council acting Chief Executive, Mark Blackburn advised this recruitment and training drive failed to attract the required number of qualified staff to manage and safely operate the pool since its reopening.

Blackburn highlighted that under Royal Life Saving guidelines, a minimum of two lifeguards must be on duty at the pool at all times.

West Daly Regional Council advertised a tender for the management and operations of the pool with the tender closing on 2nd February 2024.

Listed among the tender specifications were the responsibilities of staff/manager to

• Recruit, train and supervise a team of qualified competent pool staff preferably from the community.

• Recruit qualified volunteer pool lifeguards and swim teachers to provide additional pool supervision and support to local operation teams and to deliver regular water safety education programs.

• Ensure all staff have current certifications and qualifications required for their roles.

Blackburn added “a number of councils in the Northern Territory and across Australia have tendered out the management and operations of their swimming pools and recreation facilities to national organisations to ensure public swimming pools are appropriately staffed and run efficiently and safely.”

Across the territory, five of the Northern Territory's 18 remote pools have been closed due to safety and maintenance concerns, some for years, as temperatures soar during summer into the 40s.

Image courtesy of West Daly Regional Council.