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Current Project: Huskisson Sea Pool

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Background:

23 March 2011

Sea pools closed

Recent heavy rainfall caused heavy stormwater runoff and contamination.

23 March 2011

Sea pools closed

Shoalhaven City Council has announced that due to recent heavy rainfall both Ulladulla and Huskisson Sea Pools will be closed until further notice.

Heavy stormwater runoff in both areas has contaminated the pool water and it is necessary for Council to close the pools until the runoff has cleared.

For further information on Council’s sea pools, you can contact Kevin Norwood, Aquatics Manager, on (02) 4429 3538.

CONTACT: Aquatics Manager Kevin Norwood (02) 4429 3538

16th December 2010:

Huskisson Swimming Club, we have applied for funds to be used for improving the amenities at the Huskisson Sea Pool, specifically indoor showers for the Ladies and Gents changing rooms. The sum requested is $10,000.

Attn: Kevin Norwood

Aquatics Manager, Shoalhaven City Council

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for your letter of Nov 25th, 2010 (council ref: 24581E (D10/271698) regarding IMB Community Foundation Funding Opportunities.

This is to inform you and Shoalhaven City Council that, on behalf of Huskisson Swimming Club, we have applied for funds to be used for improving the amenities at the Huskisson Sea Pool, specifically indoor showers for the Ladies and Gents changing rooms. The sum requested is $10,000. One would hope that this amount would be quite adequate for such a project.

After consultation with our members, the majority wanted indoor showers over and above various other items discussed. Obviously the pool and existing amenity block is a Council facility and should our application be successful, such a project will require the cooperation and support of the Council.

We should know the outcome of our application early next year, in the meantime we wish you and your team a very Happy Christmas.

Best regards,

Martin Benge, Co-convenor Huskisson Swimming Club

Huskisson Sea Pool hours - season 2010 - 2011

Ulladulla Sea Pool will be the same, except their cleaning day is on Tuesdays.

1 November 2010 to 28 February 2011: six days 6am - 6pm. Closed for cleaning on Thursdays. Includes Public Holidays except Christmas Day. No lifeguard. No entry fees. Pool may remain open until 8pm during school holidays.

1 March 2011 to 25 April 2011: six days, 7am - 6pm. Otherwise as above. Closed on Good Friday.

Huskisson Swimming Club: feedback to Council and suggestions for next season.

Submitted to Council on 4th May 2010.

The 2009/2010 season had a core 6 week period of holiday entry charges and lifeguard supervision.

But for the first time, this was flanked by extended shoulder periods of free self-entry and without lifeguards, during longer bandwidth times i.e. 6 am to 6pm.

During the shoulder periods SCC staff attended to conduct maintenance only.

Attn: Kevin Norwood, Aquatics Management, Shoalhaven City Council

Dear Kevin,

now that the pool has officially closed for the winter we thought you’d like some feedback and suggestions for next season.

1. Opening hours and extended season: The longer season and extended opening times have been a great success as far as we are concerned and the pool has been well patronised throughout the season with no apparent access problems.

2. Unsupervised operations: The removal of lifeguards during the unsupervised periods has also been a success and does not appear to have had any downside for the safety and well being of pool patrons. We are not aware of any problems occurring at the pool during the unsupervised periods. The facility is now in step with the many other unsupervised sea pools up and down the NSW coast. Council should now consider whether the expense of supervision during the peak holiday period can be justified next season.

3. Maintenance & cleaning: This is obviously the main area for improvement. Setting aside the problems we’ve had with the seaweed infestation this season, regular pool users have noticed that the Thursday cleaning process is rarely completed satisfactorily with areas of the pool often left slimy and dirty. A second gurney jet cleaning machine would greatly assist cleaning staff to complete the job during the time allotted, which is often curtailed by tidal conditions.

· The settlement pits at the shallow end of the pool have not been cleaned out at all this season and are completely choked with foul smelling rotting weed sediment.

· The bottom of the pool at the deep end in particular is in poor condition as are some other areas. These need re-surfacing so the pool can be kept clean.

· The pump has broken down frequently this season and probably needs an overhaul. After the pool has been emptied for cleaning on Thursdays, sometimes the pump goes off before the pool has been filled ready for Friday’s scheduled 6am opening time.

4. Signage: Signage indicating opening times is non existent and there is no indication whether the pool is open or not when approaching the gate. We suggest placing simple large lettered “POOL OPEN” signs on the gate and fence each morning at 6am which can be seen from across Voyager Park and the walking/cycle track on the bank below the pub to encourage people to swim.

5. Showers: The removal of the existing indoor showers when the building was re-developed is still a big issue for swimmers who have to stand out in the middle of the park to shower in full view of everyone passing by. The run off has created a muddy swamp next to the childrens’ pool which is carried into the change rooms on peoples feet. This is an ongoing issue and we would again ask Council to please re-instate showers in the ladies & gents changing rooms for next season.

6. Shade: There are no shaded poolside areas within the fenced surrounds which is of particular concern to those wishing to avoid sunburn or who may wish to extend their stay at the pool during sunny weather. A further benefit would be shelter for swimmers belongings during wet weather. A simple structure part of the way along each side of the pool with some shade cloth overhead would be a major improvement to the facility.

We look forward to an even better sea pool swimming experience next season! Thanks to all concerned for their efforts this season.

Best regards,

Martin Benge & Paul Coombes

Co-convenors

Huskisson Swimming Club

(on 4th May 2010)

martinbenge@gmail.com & paulcoombes007@gmail.com

Tel: 0416 165150

Shoalhaven Sea Pools hours 2009/2010

1 November 2009 - 27 January 2010: Lifeguard provided, six days per week 6am - 6pm, NSW Public Holidays 1pm - 5pm. Christmas Day closed.

28 January 2010 - 30 April 2010: No lifeguarding provided. Six days per week 6am - 6pm. Good Friday closed.

Huskisson Sea Pool closed for cleaning on Thursdays.

Meeting with SCC Leisure Services Manager (LSM - Jane Lewis) on 20th July 2009 at Vincentia Leisure Centre - greater community involvement with Huskisson Sea Pool.

Subject letter from SCC Leisure Services Manager on 26 June 2009.

Discussions in relation to the SCC invitation linked at left. Discussed: seek Huskisson Sea Pool opening hours of 6am to 9pm during the six month season. The lock on the lifeguard room was suggested to be a re-programmable keypad type, so the combination could be changed periodically. Key to gate chain in the room. First swimmer volunteer there unlocks the chain, then re-locks the room. Coastal Patrol asked to hold spare key for emergency. Childproof lock is already on the gate. Asked the LSM to install a phone in the lifeguard room, so the morning opener could ring in any maintenance problems. The LSM said SCC would ask the opening volunteer to complete brief checklist diary/daily record. SCC to indemnify volunteers from any personal liability. Closing - seek to hire security firm to do it - for safety reasons. LSM Jane Lewis will take proposals to SCC. Expecting insurance/liability consultant’s report in August 2009. Report by LSM to SCC in September 2009. Meeting asked the LSM for a copy of the consultants report when delivered.

LSM Ms Lewis was thanked for the constructive dialogue.

Aquatic Facilities Management Plan 2009-2012: there were community meetings with Council at Vincentia Leisure Centre (26th May ‘09) and Huskisson Community Centre (27th May ‘09).

Proposed the following for the unsupervised periods:-

- Pool unlocked during daylight hours only (nominally 6am-6pm daily)

- Unrestricted entry to sea pool enclosure via robust childproof gate system &

fencing (already exists)

- Appropriate signage for swimming at own risk when unsupervised

- Incident reporting system

- Maintenance & cleaning 2 hours per day

For the supervised 6 week period suggested:-

- Flat fee of $2 per swim for everyone (casual users) during supervised period

- Children under 2 years free

- No concessions or discounts

- Spectators and supervising non swimming adults free

- $50 seasonal pass fee for supervised period

- $10 weekly pass fee for supervised period

Comments and suggestions were submitted to Council by Huskisson Swimming Club. Submission on 3 June 2009 - click here to read in full.

Council resolution at meeting on 12 May 2009

The essence of the motion put to Council on 12 May 2009 for application to the 2009–2010 swimming season was:

Council supervise sea pools 6am to 6pm for 6 days a week only during the 6 week NSW peak summer holiday period. Outside this period the pool will be open 6am to 6pm unsupervised but will be maintained and cleaned for 2 hours each day by Council staff and closed for cleaning on Thursdays.

A consultant to be engaged to undertake a review of Council’s aquatic management practices, level of supervision, and risk management processes.

Further legal advice to be sought on the outcomes presented by the consultant and impact on delivery of services at aquatic and leisure centres.

The motion was passed with only Councillors Watson & Proudfoot against.

Council staff are continuing to work on the proposed swipe card system for the next season.

Cllr Gareth Ward asked for clarification that the season will still run from first week in November to April including the Easter school holiday period with opening times 6am to 6pm (could be adjusted according to daylight hours) and this was confirmed as having been passed in the previous motion.

Until the legal and insurance people provide their report on the unsupervised component, the final outcome remains fluid.

Tighter purse strings impact on pools: Council’s full meeting on 12 May 2009 will decide whether to cut back on Shoalhaven pools patrolled hours.

Shoalhaven City Council’s Crown Reserve, Community and Commercial Operations Committee has recommended some tough changes to the operations of pools in the next financial year, slashing supervision periods and drastically cutting back seasonal staff hours. The committee resolved "Council supervise sea pools (Huskisson and Ulladulla) only during the NSW summer school holiday period for approximately six weeks, 6am to 6pm, six days per week. For the remainder of the season (November to April) the pool be maintained only by the daily site visits for two hours for cleaning and pool plant maintenance."

Read the SCR article on 8 May 2009 Read more...

Message from Huskisson Swimming Club to Councillors and staff - 15 April 2009

Read the full message…

Pool campaigners disappointed by latest about-face, South Coast Register, 15 April 2009

The Council’s apparent backflip on extending the pool hours and seasonal access is a major setback for swimmers and a huge disappointment for everyone who has worked so hard for these improvements. The issue will keep coming back to haunt this Council until it is rectified. As pointed out by the Huskisson Swimming Club, the main impetus for improved access and an extended swimming season has consistently come from users of the sea pools at Huskisson and Ulladulla…

Improving access to all Shoalhaven pools…was always going to be difficult to justify financially, especially in the context of such low patronage at the village pools compared to the sea pools....the cost of improving access to the two sea pools is a relatively modest expense compared to doing this across the entire Shoalhaven, and furthermore the higher patronage at sea pools justifies this with a potentially greater proportion of pool fee revenue.

..Just because it now turns out to be too costly to improve access to all Shoalhaven’s pools, there is no justification to deny the local sea pool swimming communities and visitors to Husky & Ulladulla improved access to their two sea pools, when this can be achieved at a relatively minimal cost.

Swimmers fully support the proposed swipe card system which should proceed regardless of the opening times as it solves the problem of access for regular swimmers and mitigates the high risk of injury by people jumping the fence.

Media Release by Deputy Mayor Gareth Ward on 11 February 2009: Everybody in the Pool

Release says, inter alia: “Last night Council resolved to extend the supervised operating hours of village and sea pools from 6AM till 6PM. This will mean that Shoalhaven residents will have much greater access to these valuable assets they bought and paid for,” Cllr Ward said....Council also resolved to further investigate key or swipe card systems for sea pools to allow for after hours access by community members. This system will operate on a trial basis for 12 months with a further report to be presented to Council at the conclusion of the trial.”

SCR Article on 30 January 2009 reporting on Huskisson Sea Pool issues.

The South Coast Register reported on the Huskisson Sea Pool issues, and interviewed the Huskisson Swimming Club co-convenor. Click on link at left to see a scanned copy of the articles.

Sea Pool opening hours: the state-wide context. Report prepared by Huskisson Swimming Club in 2007.

The Huskisson Swimming Club prepared a report canvassing what some other Councils in NSW with sea pools are doing in respect of opening hours, insurance coverage, and general management.

Shoalhaven City Council seems to have a unique view on sea pool opening hours, patrolling requirements, and especially in regard to required insurance coverage.

The report has many useful images.

Huskisson Swimming Club covering letter, 8th January 2009

The covering letter highlighted the numerous safety benefits of swimming in the sea pool vis-à-vis the dangers of swimming in the ocean bay, such as inter alia shark attack, stingers, jellyfish, rips and currents. There have been several incidents in recent years when the sea pool lifeguards have had to rescue swimmers from the adjacent Currambene Creek and it’s outlet into Jervis Bay.

The Sea Pool opening hours report was submitted to Councillors and Council’s Director of Community Services in January 2009.

“Pesticide in pools far above safe limit”

Article from The Australian newspaper on 18 May 2009 Read more…

Pesticide regulators will consider banning or restricting the use of a controversial chemical in swimming pool treatments after concerns were raised about potential harmful impacts on children who swim regularly.

Australia's pesticides regulator told The Australian it would review the use of the herbicide simazine, a common ingredient in swimming pool anti-algae treatments and suburban weed killers. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority revealed it would consider imposing restrictions on its use, including in pools, while the review was being conducted.

The action follows concerns raised within the APVMA community consultation committee that children who regularly swam in pools treated with simazine might be receiving doses far exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI).