• Swimming Pool Future Feedback

    Council is considering the future of South Gippsland’s pools. No decisions have been made. Your feedback will help Council understand community priorities and the level of support for possible changes. Feedback closes on Sunday 6 December 2026.

  • Click to read the full Aquatics Options Paper

  • Background:

    South Gippsland residents have access to six Council managed swimming pools—five outdoor pools and one indoor pool. But most of our pools are ageing and require significant investment to remain safe and fit for purpose.

    The financial challenge is substantial. Over the next 15 years, the combined cost of operating, maintaining and renewing the pools is estimated at approximately $78 million. Council’s Long-Term Financial Plan currently includes $33 million for operations and maintenance and $4 million for capital improvements but does not include the estimated $41 million required for full renewal. These renewal costs are significant, particularly as several pools are approaching the end of their useful life.

    To put this into context, $41 million is more than double Council’s annual capital works budget and more than two-and-a-half times its available reserves—much of which is already committed to emergencies and existing projects. With no spare money in Council’s current Budget, these renewal costs cannot simply be absorbed.

    At the same time, operating costs are rising and some pools are used far less than they once were. Maintaining every pool in its current form may not be financially sustainable.

    No decisions have been made, but Council is considering options that may include reducing the number of aquatic facilities, including the potential closure of one or more pools. We want to put all the cards on the table and have an honest conversation with our community: what should the future of South Gippsland’s aquatic facilities look like?

  • Data:
    The data below shows the current subsidy per swim for the 2025/26 pool season. The projected cost per swim estimates what each swim could cost in 15 years, based on operating, maintenance and proposed capital investment costs.

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  • Privacy and Collection Statement
    South Gippsland Shire Council collects the information provided through this survey to inform its consideration of future aquatic facilities across the municipality. Suburb or locality information is collected to assist Council in understanding the geographic distribution of responses and analysing community feedback.

    In accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014, personal information collected through this survey will be used and disclosed only for the purpose for which it was collected or where required or authorised by law. Personal information will not be published. Survey findings may be reported in a summary or de-identified form. You may request access to or correction of your personal information by contacting Council's Privacy Officer.

     

  • Pool Usage

  • Do you currently use any of South Gippsland’s pools?*
  • Which Council managed pool or pools do you use? Select all that apply.*
  • How often do you use a Council managed pool in South Gippsland?*
  • Overall, how important are South Gippsland's pools to you and your household?*

  • Future Aquatics

  • Council estimates it will cost $78 million over the next 15 years to keep all South Gippsland pools operating as they currently do. This includes $41 million in unfunded renewal works and $37 million for operation and maintenance.

  • Considering these costs and the current ratepayer subsidy per swim, how strongly do you support Council continuing to fund all pools in their current form?*
  • If maintaining all pools in their current form is not financially sustainable, which changes would you support Council considering?*
  • When making decisions about pools, what should Council consider most important? Please select up to three options.*

  • About you

  • Which of the following best describes your connection to South Gippsland Shire? (Select one)*
  • How do you describe your gender?*
  • Are you Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?*
  • Do you identify as having a disability of any kind?*
  • What is your age group?*
  • To help us better target our communications, please let us know how you heard about the consultation. Please tick all that apply.*
  • Should be Empty: