Swimming pools at Engadine Leisure Centre will remain open all-year around.
Sutherland Shire Council unanimously agreed on Monday night to reject a report by council staff that the pools should be closed five a months each year.
The decision followed a community backlash, culminating in about 100 people attending a meeting with councillors on Friday night last week.
As well as keeping the pools open, the council agreed to establish a working party, made up of councillors and five community members, to “examine ways of enhancing the health and wellbeing of our community and improving sustainable service delivery through increasing patronage”.
In addition, the inflatable water slide program will be made available at Engadine Leisure Centre during the summer holiday period and on weekends.
Mayor Carmelo Pesce pre-empted the scheduled debate on the report by moving a mayoral minute when the council met on Monday night.
Cr Pesce said councillors had listened to residents and their concerns.
“Those present [at the Friday night meeting] were clear in demonstrating the value they place on the swimming pool facilities,” he said.
“We heard a number of examples of improvements to the health and wellbeing of people from all age groups.
“These examples included contributions to safety through learn to swim programs, improvements to respiratory and medical conditions, opportunity for participation in water sports and competition through swim training, not to mention the strong social connections that have been formed.”
Cr Pesce said, by 2036, the shire’s population was expected to grow by more than 34,000 and demographics were changing.
“The change in demographics requires us to continually review the services and infrastructure we provide to ensure it is adapting to changing needs,” he said.
“In acknowledging these challenges, speakers at the meeting presented the swimming pool as an opportunity rather than an impost.
“Though attendance numbers for the swimming pool were challenged, speakers were proactive in providing suggestions, ideas and, most of all, commitment to assisting council to increase patronage of the pool and enhance the facility.
“Examples included ideas for reopening of the cafe, reviewing membership fees, including incentive structures, marketing and signage, opening up opportunities for multiple squad providers and shading and pool covers.
“Most importantly one speaker discussed the opportunity for the community to be involved in promoting and driving an increase in attendance.
“The proactive attitude is to be commended.”
Cr Pesce said the council had to make difficult decisions at a time of increasing infrastructure and utility costs with a limited capacity to raise income.
“These diffiuclt decisions must balance financial, social and community needs / aspirations,” he said.
“Our community is a proud one. By working together to meet the challenges of the future, we will only enhance the quality of life for residents of today and those generations to come.”
D Ward councillors Greg McLean and Diedree Steinwall said they would like to be members of the working party.
Cr McLean congratulated residents on the way they had expressed their views.
“It was a big meeting and a tremendous response from the community, but at all times positive views were put forward,” he said.
Cr Steinwall said “people power” had triumphed and the council would do everything possible to assist the leisure centre.
“Instead of looking at ways to cut services we have taken a different direction of promoting and trying to build patronage,” she said.
Cr Kent Johns defended the staff who prepared the report, saying they were had been tasked by councillors with cutting costs.