I received a recent "dear customer" letter from Sutherland Shire Council's business unit manager Glenn Carson.
It appears the council is not happy with its usual annual price increase. This year someone has come up with a new way to gouge far more money out of the ratepaying customers.
The letter states: "We are excited about the year ahead, with members now getting the opportunity to work out across all centres and the scope for redevelopment of Caringbah and Sutherland leisure centres". Well Glenn, I can't share in your excitement and I couldn't find a single user of Caringbah Leisure Centre who thought this new arrangement would be at all beneficial.
A very large percentage of customers don't wish to have the opportunity of using any of the council's other swimming facilities. They're happy where they are.
Being a senior citizen, I paid $67 for my last 20-visit swim pass. That works out to $3.35 a visit.
Under the new "exciting" proposal, I'll pay $63 for a 15-visit swim pass. That works out $4.20 a visit.
The increase of 85¢ a visit represents an increase of over 25 per cent on the current price! The council cannot be serious about this increase.
This is a complete rort by Sutherland Shire Council. Such an increase cannot be justified.
Gary Schmalfeldt, Cronulla
Are you concerned about the price rise?
