Council Gives $2 Pool Trial the Go-Ahead – Except at Lambton

18 June 2025

City of Newcastle councillors have given the go-ahead to a $2 entry trial across four suburban swimming pools for the 2025–26 season, aiming to ease cost-of-living pressures and make aquatic facilities more accessible. Endorsed at Tuesday’s 17 June meeting, the one-off initiative will cover Beresfield, Stockton, Wallsend and Mayfield pools, while Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre has been controversially left off the list.

The council has allocated around $900,000 to fund the trial, which includes not only the subsidised entry fees but also bolstered security measures, additional lifeguards and crowd-tracking technology to manage increased patronage. Labor councillor, Declan Clausen, who introduced the motion, said the initiative responds to the mounting financial strain facing many Newcastle families. “Public pools aren’t luxuries,” Cr Clausen said. “They’re essential spaces for health, safety and social wellbeing, especially during extreme heat.”

The proposal came with strong public backing. Of the more than 2,000 residents who responded during community consultation, a staggering 95 per cent supported the idea, and 92 per cent said they’d be more likely to visit if admission costs dropped. Cr Deahnna Richardson, who seconded the motion, said affordability and safety go hand in hand, noting that swimming skills decline without consistent access to practice.

However, the exclusion of Lambton, a major facility that handles nearly 60 per cent of the city’s inland pool visits has sparked debate. Greens councillor Charlotte McCabe argued that any crowding concerns could be managed, as they are during peak summer days. “As the climate continues to warm, these pools become vital places for heat refuge,” she said, pushing for Lambton’s inclusion.

The Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said “It is a cost [to council]… but I think the engagement from the community indicates that they see it as such a priority that they would be willing to support it” refering to the large cost to ratepayers to include Lambton.

Independent councillor Mark Brooker also voiced concern, suggesting the current plan fails to meet the expectations of most users. “We’re not delivering for the majority,” he said. “This covers less than half of poolgoers.”

Despite disappointment from some councillors, including Labor’s Cr Peta Winney-Baartz, who described Lambton’s omission as “extremely disappointing”, the decision held firm. She acknowledged safety and financial risks tied to including the city’s busiest centre, but pledged to advocate for its inclusion if the trial proves successful.

In a separate motion, councillors unanimously agreed to waive entry fees at all five pools on Australia Day 2026. This event will serve as a controlled opportunity to assess crowd dynamics under free-entry conditions.

Council officers will now work with facility operator BlueFit to implement the trial, which will begin when pools reopen in September. AI-powered head-count systems, upgraded CCTV, and additional staff will be deployed as part of the rollout. A full report on usage, safety incidents and financial performance will be compiled at the end of the season.

“This trial is about collecting real data,” Cr Clausen said. “It’s the first step to seeing how we might make swimming more accessible across Newcastle in the long term.”