Newcastle councillors have been briefed on the costs and alternatives to continuing the $2 pool entry trial, which is set to end after just one season. The City of Newcastle has argued the scheme is financially unsustainable and unfairly subsidises non-residents.
The trial, introduced this summer, saw a 46 per cent increase in average attendance at Beresfield, Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend pools, with over 259,000 visits. However, a report warned that continuing $2 entry next season would require at least $542,000 in subsidies and reduce the council's forecast operating surplus for 2026/2027 by 40 per cent.
Extending the trial to include Lambton pool would increase costs to $1.75 million in 2026/27, with potential patronage rising by up to 55 per cent. Alternatives presented include $2 entry for concession card holders at Lambton ($48,000), $3 entry at the four trial pools ($368,000), or a combination costing nearly $400,000.
Councillors raised concerns about requiring residents to prove hardship for cheaper entry. Labor councillor Deahnna Richardson described the process as invasive and humiliating, supporting universal access instead. Chief executive Jeremy Bath said the council would take residents at their word if they called to explain hardship.
Analysis showed 58 per cent of users across the trial pools lived outside Newcastle, including 74 per cent at Beresfield and 72 per cent at Stockton. Bath noted that creating a system to ensure only ratepayers benefit is complex and could cause delays on hot days. A final decision on the trial is expected this month.
