WHAT began as an innocent question on Facebook on December 30, as to why the six Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) outdoor pools were not open more often, especially given the warmer weather, has triggered a tsunami of online commentary in recent weeks, some heated.

In response to the queries, the Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) asserted that there was a dire shortage of lifeguards and that they only had 34 of the 63 lifeguards needed to keep the outdoor pools open. The six outdoor pools include Hamilton, Balmoral, Coleraine, Dunkeld, Glenthompson and Penshurst.

Sixty-three lifeguards seemed excessive for the six outdoor pools, particularly when there were usually no more than two on duty at a time, and most days the outdoor pools were only open for four hours - thus not requiring relief for lunchbreaks and at least half on the roster were aged over 18.

A lifeguard (over 18) told The Spectator that “there is no way they need 63 lifeguards for the six pools”.

Upon further questioning, it has since been revealed that the total, 63, includes the Hamilton Indoor Leisure and Aquatic Centre (HILAC) swimming pool.

The Spectator wrote a story on January 4, after hearing from parents of lifeguards and lifeguards themselves who strongly disputed lifeguard unavailability as the reason for the pool closures, as they had not been granted shifts despite their willingness to work.

SGSC chief executive, Tony Doyle, wrote in a Letter to the Editor on January 5, saying Council had been “extremely transparent and vocal in addressing the issue of significant understaffing” which had resulted in changes to pool operations.

He said, “to keep all swimming pools open as per the regular outdoor pool operating policy, requires 63 lifeguards to which we currently have 34 with another seven still completing their induction process”.

Likewise, deputy mayor, Helen Henry, who wrote a Facebook post addressed to “certain members of our Southern Grampians community” who had complained about the outdoor pool opening hours and lack of Christmas decorations, said “we have only 34 of the 63 lifeguards required to keep the outdoor swimming pools open as per the operating policy”.

The complaints from some parents of lifeguards and lifeguards were compounded by the significant expense they had incurred to qualify for work as a lifeguard; $200 for a first aid course and $300 for lifeguard training.

Mr Doyle did state that the positions were casual, and that staff were not always available and that all lifeguards under 18 were not able to work solo due to health and safety requirements and must be accompanied by a senior (over 18 lifeguard).

He said the outer township outdoor pools must have a lifeguard over the age of 18 on the pool deck to open safely for patrons.

Including the quota of lifeguards needed for the HILAC swimming pool in the total, despite having been explicitly asked for the outdoor pools, has only mislead concerned residents who had speculated the Shire may be keeping the outdoor pools closed to save money. SGSC was asked to clarify the actual number of lifeguards required to keep the outdoor pools open but did not respond before deadline yesterday.

Cr Henry’s Facebook post did little to assuage concerned residents about future outdoor pool closures, when she said, “we will have to consider which of the seventy plus services are important to us; do we keep all of our pools and cut other services?” Cr Henry said.

Mr Doyle was asked to clarify SGSC’s position and was asked if SGSC could categorically rule out any plans to shut the outdoor pool(s).

Mr Doyle responded that “at this stage there are no plans to close any of the Southern Grampians pools”.

“The operational policy will be reviewed in future where the community will be engaged and provided an opportunity to feed into that process,” he said.

The Spectator also conducted a quick survey of people aged over 18 which revealed it is a little-known fact that attending the outdoor Hamilton Olympic Swimming Pool is free. SGSC said they were interested to hear this and would take it on board and consider future advertising.

Mr Doyle said, “those who use the Southern Grampians pools are aware there are no costs to attend these facilities”.

“This is also very clear on our website and at local pool sites,” he said.

SGSC was asked on Monday if it supported Cr Henry’s Facebook post, but unlike all other media enquiries, on this occasion, said questions would need to be put directly to Cr Henry, however, stated she was currently on leave and out of internet range.