Local authorities insist the cost of maintaining the local pools (more than $7 million) is too high despite community members being concerned about accessibility to safe swimming locations.
The plan to close the seven pools has garnered much criticism from renowned water safety expert Laurie Lawrence for putting children’s lives in danger.
Mr Lawrence said one of the main concerns the community needed to address was where children would swim if access to local pools was denied.
He said there were many hidden dangers in channels, rivers and irrigation systems such as strong undercurrents, hidden piles, weeds and debris, varying depths, regulator gates that can open and close quickly, drains, submerged trees, sandbars and rocks.
“Learning to swim is one of the most important skills a child can have. Closing these local pools will drive children to cool off in dangerous areas, unsupervised. It will only lead to tragedy,” Mr Lawrence said.
“Tragically people who live in regional areas are twice as likely to drown than those who live in metropolitan Melbourne. These deaths are preventable, but only if local authorities keep pool facilities and learn-to-swim programs easily accessible.”
Kirsten Wright, who has spent almost 30 years as a swimming competitor, coach and VICSWIM teacher at Tongala Swimming Pool — one of the centres earmarked for closure — said the proposal would have long-term negative effects on the local area.
“If they close these pools they will push everyone to Echuca Aquatic Centre, which also needs maintenance,” Ms Wright said.
“The centre won’t be able to facilitate all the swim clubs, learn-to-swim programs, public swimming, local competition and school swim programs.”
The protest will be kicking off at 1pm on Sunday, May 29 at the Kyabram Swimming Pool.
People can sign a petition to save the pools at https://www.change.org/p/keep-the-shire-of-campaspe-pools-open
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