Wollongong City Council subsidises public pools by $3.5 million a year

Wollongong City Council is losing more than $3.5 million a year keeping its network of public pools open, according to figures revealed by the Illawarra Mercury.

Figures analysed in a recent report in the Illawarra Mercury show swimmers have been subsidised by up to $10.85 per pool visit. Taking into account revenue and expenditure for the Council's free and paid pools, the Council suffered a net loss of $3,503,105 last financial year.

This ranged from a net loss of $285,939 at Helensburgh Pool to $522,104 at Port Kembla Pool.

The Illawarra Mercury derived the figures from City Council documents supplied to independent consultants interested in submitting a tender to develop a 20-year planning strategy for the city's nine public pools. The strategy, which is seeking views and opinions from the community and which will make recommendations on what type of aquatic infrastructure the Council should provide, is to be used to help Wollongong city councillors decide future funding allocations.

Currently in preparation, the consultants have been asked to assess the Council's current pools against industry standards and trends; identify opportunities for increased patronage; and review expenditure on pools.

The consultants' final report is expected to be completed next month.

Council Recreation Services Manager Mark Bond has previously explained that the consultants have been asked to come up with ways to boost the number of pool visitors without increasing Council funding. He denied pools would close or current services or programs would be cut as part of the review.

Bond told the Illawarra Mercury "this isn't a cost-cutting exercise, it's not a service review, and we won't be seeking direction from the consultants on introducing fees to existing services, closing pools or adjusting opening hours.

"Our Council, at this point in time, has indicated it is not prepared to introduce fees in any of the existing facilities in their current form.

"The consultants (have been) told these things are off the agenda."

For more information on Wollongong City Council's public swimming pools go to www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/facilities/beachespools/pages/pools.aspx

5th May 2010 - FREE SWIMMING TO END IN WOLLONGONG?