Council’s plan for $2 swims this summer

The wheels have begun to turn on Lord Mayor Nick Reece’s election promise to provide cheaper swims at public pools this summer.

At the December 10 Council meeting, the City of Melbourne unanimously supported a $2 Pool Splash initiative for Carlton Baths and North Melbourne outdoor pools.

The cheaper pool entry fees will be available on weekdays for a trial period throughout January 2025, with the data collected set to inform the council of its long-term viability.

Alongside the initiative, the city will fund swimming lessons at the Melbourne City Baths for 400 residents.

Speaking at the December 10 meeting, Cr Reece said that the initiative is a way for residents of the city to not only escape the heat in a cost-effective way but to help educate people, who are not confident swimmers, on pool safety.   

A report that was tabled at the December 10 meeting revealed that the 2014 Victorian heatwave contributed to 167 excess deaths and caused more than 600 hospitalisations for dehydration, heat stroke, and other heat-related illnesses.

Melbourne’s maximum daily temperatures are also expected to rise as much as 1.6 degrees by 2030.

Cr Reece said given that spring 2024 reached record temperatures, and that this summer is already touted to be a “scorcher”, it’s important for the community to have ways to be relieved from the heat.

Additionally, there were 54 recorded drownings across Victoria according to data released by Surf Life Saving Victoria. 

Due to an alarming number of people drowning coming from multicultural communities, Cr Reece believes that free swimming lessons are a step in the right direction to ensure all Melburnians are safe.

Cr Andrew Rowse expressed concern with people’s membership being devalued throughout the pool splash.

However, it is understood that the City of Melbourne will explore the options of either a membership fee discount or suspension throughout the trial period.

As a part of the trial, the council also recommended that management explore the option of providing a shuttle bus from Kensington public housing to the North Melbourne pool.