More than 100 people attended a rally protesting the closures of multiple pools across the Campaspe Shire on Sunday, May 29.
Lockington resident Kris Munro said it was important for all towns in the shire to band together and show the council how important pools were to the community.
“We’ve been fighting this battle since 2014,” she said.
She said if the pools closed, local kids might decide to swim in local dams or channels unsupervised.
“We want to give our children the best possible opportunities. Why should they be disadvantaged living in a small rural town,” Ms Munro said.
There are hundreds of primary school kids that are required to complete the Learn to Swim program.
If the pools were closed, Ms Munro said students would have to travel to larger town centres like Echuca.
“The cost and time commitment for schools to transport kids from towns such as Lockington to Echuca for swimming lessons would be massive” she said.
“Not everyone has the luxury of owning their own private pool to be able to swim in,” Ms Munro said.
She said it would not be logistically feasible to cater for such a large amount of kids at the Echuca War Memorial Aquatic Centre.
“Parents don’t the ability to finish work at five and be able to drive their children all the way to Echuca in time for swimming lessons,” Ms Munro said.
“We want equality for everyone, not just for those who live close to Echuca.”
Campaspe Shire Council cited the cost of maintaining the local pools which is reported to be more than $7 million, and said this was one of the main reasons for the closures.
Ms Munro said she believed this figure was in doubt.
She also said that lifeguards this year were instructed not to let more swimmers in if it took them over the lifeguard-to-patron ratio which would mean they would require more staff to work.
“It’s not due to insufficient rates as to why the council can’t fund the pools, they just don’t deem it to be socially important,” Ms Munro said.
Ms Munro said the council funds things such as the Discovery Centre, council-operated paddle steamers and other commercial businesses.
“Yes it does cost money to keep the pools running, but what’s important is it’s teaching kids skills for life,” she said.
“What is the cost of potentially saving someone from drowning.”
Lockington, Colbinabbin, Stanhope and Tongala where originally earmarked for closure before Kyabram, Rochester and Rushworth were added to that list.
Ms Munro said the Echuca Memorial Pool won’t be able to deal with the added demand being the only aquatic centre in the area.
“The Echuca Pool wasn’t built for the current purpose it serves now,” she said.
“If you’re going to shut seven pools, then you are going to have to spend millions of dollars to upgrade that pool because it won’t handle the demand.”
Ms Munro said parents also benefited from the community pools.
“I was a single mum with four kids and to be able to go to the pools was massive for me in being able to socialise in the community,” she said.
“It becomes a bit of a social network for the parents and the older community.”
Members of the shire including John Zobec, Daniel Mackrell and Leanne Pentreath were in attendance to listen to protesters concerns.
To sign the petition to save the pools, visit https://www.change.org/p/keep-the-shire-of-campaspe-pools-open