A re-elected Nick Reece as Lord Mayor will slash the cost of going for a swim in Melbourne and make beginner swimming lessons free to help families with the cost of living and make accessing the city’s pools easier.
Starting from 1 January 2025, the $2 Pool Splash initiative is aimed at ensuring everyone living in the city, including families, students, and international residents, can continue to enjoy having a swim and all the health benefits that flow from it at a time when the household budget is tighter than ever.
Under the initiative, casual entry fees for adults, students, concession card holders, and children will all be reduced to $2, offering substantial savings of up to 75%.
Aquatic memberships will also be reduced by more than half – from $11.50 per week to $4 per week – to encourage more frequent pool visits.
Alongside cheaper pool entry, a re-elected Nick Reece will put in place a free Introductory Swimming Lesson Program.
This program will offer 50,000 free beginner swimming and water safety lessons each year to residents of the City of Melbourne, addressing the crucial need for water safety education, particularly for younger residents who may not have spent as much time in the water due to COVID restrictions.
The City of Melbourne will also partner with Owners Corporations to deliver swimming lessons directly in residential buildings that have communal pools, so more people can learn closer to home.
The Pool Splash initiative is available to all City of Melbourne residents and is expected to cost $3 million each year.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Nick Reece:
“We know the cost of living is biting and families are making tough decisions about what they can and can’t afford – that’s why we are focused on making it easier for people to get to the pool, have a swim, and access the crucial early lessons they need to swim well and keep safe.”
“Melbourne could be home to a future Olympic champion, and I don’t want to see the next Kaylee McKeown or Kyle Chalmers not get the chance to swim because it’s too expensive.”
Quotes attributable to Councillor and candidate for Deputy Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell:
“Having young kids, I know how important it is that every child in Melbourne has the opportunity to learn to swim and get active. We know swimming lessons and pool visits can quickly add up and that’s why we’re committed to making a real difference to the hip pockets of families.”
“Whether you are a recent arrival or have been here all your life, water safety is vital in Australia – by making these early swimming lessons free we can help prevent future tragedies, particularly in our multicultural communities.”
