Pool fees may rise
Adults could pay an extra $1.60 and children an extra $1.20 under a new fees schedule proposed for redeveloped aquatic facilities at Warragul Leisure Centre.
Community members will have an opportunity to have their say on how much they have to pay for a swim.
The budget adopted by Baw Baw Shire last week did not include fees and charges for aquatic and leisure services for the upcoming financial year.
Council discussed the matter in-committee last week and later resolved to undertake a “have your say” consultation process to allow community members to comment on the proposed fees and charges.
The schedule includes fees, memberships and hire charges for the Warragul Leisure Centre and outdoor pools at Drouin, Trafalgar, Thorpdale, Rawson and Neerim South, as well as sports stadium fees and fitness programs at Warragul Leisure Centre and Bellbird Park.
For aquatic facilities, it is proposed an adult swim at the leisure centre will be $6.80 (previously $5.20) while a child’s swim session will be $5.40 (previously $4.20).
This will provide access to all aquatic facilities, except the warm water pool, which would be an additional $1.90 on the entry cost.
Packages also will offer discounts for 20 visits, while triathlon and swim club members will have the option to purchase 25 or 50 session vouchers for lap aquatic facilities.
Outdoor pool fees also will be increased slightly from the 2015/16 swim season.
Outdoor swim costs are proposed to be $5.20 for adults and $3.10 for children, up 20 cents and 10 cents respectively. It is proposed a family pass will increase from $13.50 to $14.
Monthly and seasonal passes also are proposed to increase for the outdoor pools. A family season pass is proposed to increase from $160 to $165.
Council said redevelopment of the Warragul Leisure Centre was set to provide the community with a higher standard community facility including a new warm water/learn to swim pool; new leisure pool with beach entry and animal themed water play features; doubling the size of the hot water pool; refurbishment of the existing 25 metre pool; and, new eight lane, 50 metre outdoor pool.
Officers said council reviewed its aquatic and leisure fees and charges every year to ensure the fees remain relevant and in line with other industry service providers.
Community consultation will include two sessions at the Palmerston St kiosk in Warragul on Tuesday June 7 between 11am and 1pm and 3pm to 6pm when staff will provide additional opportunities for feedback on the proposed fees and charges. Consultation will conclude on June 24.
The state government announced it would contribute $649,000 to the project on Tuesday, with Baw Baw Shire Council to fund the remainder of the $1.7 million project.
Mayor Joe Gauci said the project would include a full-scale oval with flood lighting, with the oval anticipated to be ready for public use for the 201718 cricket season.
The oval will also include a turf wicket block.
“This development has been deemed a high priority and of highest importance by the AFL," Cr Gauci said.
"Here we have two senior clubs along with an All Abilities team, and this will enable the clubs to train in the same precinct.
“It will be a dedicated junior ground and another venue for women's AFL.
"The second oval will have a block of turf wickets and will be the premier cricket ground in the area."
Cr Gauci said with only one full size oval with adequate lighting in the town, lighting had been identified as a community need. He said the oval development project at Western Park, along with the installation of lights at Eastern Park and upgrades to lighting at Logan Park, had gone some way to addressing that need.
“An additional oval will not only support all recreation planning and development strategies but also assist in accommodating the increasing demand for quality sporting infrastructure to meet our growing community needs," he said.
“Upgrading this facility will improve access to a quality sporting facility for