East Gippsland Shire Council will consider commissioning a new East Gippsland Aquatic Strategy to guide the future of the Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool site and plan for aquatic facilities across the shire at its upcoming Council meeting on Tuesday 19 August.
The Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool, built in 1969 and located at 49 Turnbull Street, Bairnsdale, has been a valued community facility for many years but is now at the end of its operational life. Ageing infrastructure, increasing maintenance costs, and significant safety concerns mean it is no longer viable to operate in its current state.
Council recognises the importance of the pool to many residents and understands the community passion around the facility. At the same time, it's important for all ratepayers to be aware of the financial and operational realities.
The pool has recorded an average operating deficit of approximately $195,000 per year over the past four years, with a ratepayer subsidy of $162 per recreational swim. While it is recognised that many of Council's services are subsidised, it is the level of subsidy and the limited use that are the focus.
This year, 1,667 community visits (excluding school carnivals) were recorded at the outdoor pool. By comparison, the nearby Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre (BARC) records roughly the same number of visits in one week, providing year-round aquatic facilities for residents.
Council's Chief Executive Officer, Fiona Weigall, said she has a legal and ethical obligation to ensure a safe working environment for all employees and a safe place for the community to swim.
"This means proactively identifying and mitigating workplace hazards, providing necessary training and resources, and fostering a culture of safety," Ms Weigall said.
"The age of the facility and standard of some of its components present a very real occupational health and safety risk for staff and the public.
"We have assessed these risks in line with our obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and determined they are at an unacceptable level to operate safely. The pool cannot reopen while these risks remain."
Previous studies, including the 2015 East Gippsland Aquatic Strategy, explored a full refurbishment of the pool which, at the time, was estimated to exceed $3 million. Instead, an investment was made in developing a warm water pool at the BARC for year-round use.
Shire officers have also been working in line with a previous Council decision, made in 2016, when adopting the East Gippsland Aquatic Strategy. At that time, condition assessments confirmed that the Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool was nearing the end of its functional life and would need to close in the near future. The strategy, that was unanimously adopted by Council, indicated that the outdoor pool would remain open for as long as practicable, but no further major works would be undertaken at the facility.
Council has received advice from officers as to why the outdoor pool cannot be opened for the 2025/26 summer season, and this is outlined in the report to Council.
The report also recommends detailed consultation with the community about the future of the Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool site and the development of a new aquatic strategy for the shire. This will involve comprehensive community engagement - including a community reference group - to guide the strategy and determine the site's future. This approach ensures that decisions are informed by community views while also considering the demand for, and the cost and feasibility of, developing additional aquatic facilities.
Ms Weigall said the upcoming discussion reflects Council's commitment to transparent decision-making and community engagement.
"The Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool has served our community for almost 60 years, and we understand the attachment some people have to it. It was built thanks to community effort - through local labour and fundraising - and has been enjoyed for close to six decades." Ms Weigall said.
"However, the condition and safety risks associated with the pool, coupled with its low usage means we must now carefully consider its future - balancing community sentiment with demand, while not ignoring the significant safety concerns and responsible management of public resources."
It is noted in the report that while no swimming lessons are held at the facility, eight school carnivals are held onsite each year, Council officers are working with schools to establish alternative arrangements for the 2025/26 school carnivals.
