Shellharbour City Council will consider a report at this week's Council Meeting which responds to a previous resolution of the Council to provide options that consider extended seasonal operations of Albion Park and Warilla Pools.
The report provides Council with several options for consideration and recommends retaining the existing summer season dates for both pools for the 2025/26 season. It also recommends that Council plan for changes to the operational seasons from 2026/27 onward. These changes will seek to respond to community demand and reduce the per visit financial subsidy.
Caption: Warilla (pictured) and Albion Park Pools and will continue operating as usual while Council undertakes broader planning for future seasons. Image courtesy of Shellharbour City Council
The planning work includes assessing how each pool supports community needs and opportunities to align future operating periods with demand and broader recreation planning across the City.
Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said this report supports a balanced approach that maintains certainty now while enabling informed long-term strategic decision making.
"This approach gives Council the opportunity to undertake thoughtful planning for the future of our aquatic facilities, while ensuring the community experiences no change to the upcoming season," Mayor Homer said.
Under the recommended approach, the 2025/26 season would remain unchanged (with both pools scheduled to close from 30 March 2026). Any adjustments to operational seasons would be considered from 2026/27 onwards, considering community demand, visitation patterns and opportunities to manage rising operational costs.
Council will consider the report at its meeting on 24 February 2026.
KEY MESSAGES:
• Council will consider a report outlining options for future seasonal operations at Albion Park and Warilla Pools.
• Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said this report supports a balanced approach that maintains certainty now while enabling informed long-term strategic decision making.
