July 23, 2014
The prices of 10 and 20-visit season tickets to the region’s public swimming pools will rise this year after a study found South Burnett pool entry fees were significantly lower than those charged by other councils.
At today’s monthly general meeting, South Burnett councillors approved season ticket prices at the region’s swimming pools for 2014-15, subject to an amendment moved by Cr Ros Heit that the prices of 10 and 20-visit passes rise.
Cr Heit said while she agreed with most of suggested season ticket prices, she had issues with the 10-visit and 20-visit passes.
“I think we need to accept that our pools cost all ratepayers a lot of money,” she said.
She said about $68 per year from every ratepayer was directed to pools.
“We have a lot of pools but not many people,” she said.
There are council swimming pools at Murgon, Wondai, Proston, Kingaroy, Nanango and Blackbutt.
Cr Heit said Moreton Shire had 12 pools to service a population of about 375,000 residents, ie about one pool per 33,000 people. But the South Burnett had one pool per 5000 people.
“(This is why the pools) are costing our ratepayers such a lot, and this is increasing,” Cr Heit said.
She said in Moreton Shire, residents pay $5.20 per pool entry for adults and children, and $4.30 for concession card holders.
Brisbane charges $5.10 and $3.70 in the summer months, and $5.90 and $3.90 in the winter to cover extra heating costs.
“While we love to encourage residents to use our pools, we aren’t a charity. And as we know with the Murgon pool, our pools are getting old and cost a lot to maintain,” she said
“While I also agree we should be subsidising pool entry fees to some extent, the current rate for 10 visits works out at $2.50 for adults and $1.15 for children and concession card holders.”
Cr Heit said she thought the price of 10 and 20-visit passes should be increased to $3 per visit for adults and $2 per visit for children or concession holders.
This would still be almost half the price charged by Moreton Shire and in line with prices currently charged by the Gympie and Scenic Rim Regional Councils.
“We want to maintain services to our community but some element of user pays has to be incorporated,” Cr Heit said.
Fellow councillors agreed, and carried her amendment on the 10 and 20-visit passes.
All other season ticket prices remained unchanged from last year.
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The South Burnett Regional Council also voted today to temporarily close the Murgon Swimming Pool to construct a new amenities block and kiosk.
Councillors were told at today’s meeting that engineers had reported the current buildings were structurally unsafe.
Provision for repairs to the pool has been made in the Council’s 2014-15 Budget, which is due to be released on Friday (July 25).
Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said that many of the pool’s stakeholders – including local schools – had already been consulted about the temporary closure, and were making alternate arrangements.
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