Northern Grampians Shire Council leaders have confirmed advice from aquatics experts shows St Arnaud Swimming Pool is not deep enough to safely cater for springboards higher than one metre.
The pool is undergoing a $2.6-million redevelopment, which will include structural repairs, resurfacing, improved accessibility, upgrades to the surrounding concourse and facilities, upgrades to change rooms and pool kiosk, and important underground and service works to bring the pool up to modern safety standards.
Mayor Karen Hyslop said council was aware of a petition calling for the retention of the pool's three-metre springboard, which will be removed during redevelopment works.
"At this stage, council has not formally received a petition," she said.
"If a petition is submitted, it will be managed in accordance with council's Governance Rules, which set out how petitions are received, acknowledged and considered."
The pool also features a one-metre board, which will be retained as part of the redevelopment.
Cr Hyslop said as previously explained, the existing pool is too shallow for a three-metre springboard to meet Royal Life Saving Society Australia Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations.
"The St Arnaud pool has a depth of 3.5 metres and the guidelines state there must be a minimum depth of 3.7 metres and an optimal depth of 3.8 metres for a three-metre springboard," she said.
"Based on a maximum pool depth of 3.5 metres, applicable safety guidelines limit the permissible springboard height to one metre."
Cr Hyslop said council had sought clarification from an aquatics engineer before making the decision to remove the three-metre board.
"I am aware of comments saying it would be a simple compromise for us to just lower the board to 2.5 metres, however, this is not possible for several reasons," she said.
"A letter from the engineering consultant shows it would not be worth modifying the existing frame due to its age and the extent of modifications required. It would be more economical to purchase a new purpose-built springboard support and new board to go with it. The maximum acceptable height of the springboard would be one metre, which is limited by the pool depth.
"Current access issues to the one-metre board will also be fixed as part of the redevelopment, bringing it into line with current guidelines."
Cr Hyslop said council had committed more than $650,000 of rates to the redevelopment of the pool and change rooms.
"The full project budget is required to deliver the approved scope, including compliance and accessibility upgrades," she said.
"There is no approved funding to explore or implement alternatives to removing the three-metre board. In saying that, we are also restricted by the pool depth, and patron safety is paramount."
Cr Hyslop said council understood the three-metre springboard held strong memories for many in the St Arnaud community and appreciated how valued it had been for generations.
"While its removal is disappointing for some, safety requirements and working within the approved budget must come first and ultimately guide what can be retained as part of the redevelopment," she said.
"The one-metre springboard will be made compliant with current safety standards and will be retained.
"Council believes St Arnaud Swimming Pool is a valuable asset to the community - for people of all ages - which is why we are spending millions of dollars delivering significant upgrades to ensuring the pool is a safe, widely accessible and enjoyable facility for years to come.
"Council thanks the community for its ongoing interest and passion for this significant project."
The redevelopment will be delivered in two stages, with stage two comprising the construction of a new beach-entry ramp to improve accessibility, along with works to the concourse and surrounding areas.
Stage one, which involved redeveloping change rooms and the pool kiosk, was completed prior to the 2025-26 summer season.
