Revised pool hours to maintain safety standards
The Hervey Bay and Maryborough Aquatic Centres will temporarily operate on revised hours six days a week to maintain and improve safety for both staff and patrons.
Fraser Coast Regional Council Director Strategy, Community and Development Gerard Carlyon said maintaining safety and supervision standards at the aquatic facilities is Council’s highest priority.
“With the Fraser Coast labour market strengthening and the unemployment rate dropping from 12.5 per cent in 2018 to 5 per cent this year, it has become increasingly difficult to attract and retain staff for our aquatic facilities,” he said.
“Our aquatic centres are a fantastic place for our community members to relax, exercise and develop their swimming skills.
“However, it’s crucial that we have enough qualified and trained staff to supervise swimmers and meet the Royal Lifesaving Society Australia Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations.
“To continue offering quality services and programs, we must transition to a more sustainable operating model that addresses these staffing challenges, while investing in and prioritising staff training and development.
“As part of this strategy, Council will also convert temporary part-time positions to permanent part-time roles to enhance job security and support ongoing operations at our aquatic facilities.
“Improving our staff’s capacity will support swimming programs that increase water safety awareness and teach essential swimming skills.
“Council is also paying for lifeguard training for suitable candidates, with anyone interested in joining the aquatics team encouraged to check out the vacancies page on Council’s website or contact our Recruitment team on 1300 79 49 29.
“Council will regularly review the operating hours and extend them when recruitment challenges ease in the future.”
From Monday 11 November 2024, the new operating hours are as follows:
Maryborough Aquatic Centre
· Open: Monday to Thursday, 5.30am to 6.30pm
· Closed: Fridays
Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre
· Open: Tuesday to Friday, 5.30am to 6.30pm
· Closed: Mondays
Both centres
· Open: Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 2pm
· Closed on public holidays, except Australia Day (8am to 2pm)
There will be no changes to WetSide Water Park’s opening hours, which are:
· Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm during Queensland school terms (mid-September to May)
· Open seven days a week during Queensland school holidays, 10am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day).
The SplashSide all-abilities water playground in Maryborough’s Anzac Park is open seven days a week from 8.30am to 5pm from May to August and 8am to 7pm from September to April (closed on Thursday mornings until 1pm for routine maintenance and cleaning).
Learn to Swim and school swimming programs at the aquatic centres will continue as usual until the end of term 4 this year. Updated booking information for 2025 will be provided to schools and families in the coming weeks.
Mr Carlyon said the revised hours align the aquatic centres with other Council-operated facilities, such as libraries, art galleries, and museums, which are also closed one or more days a week.
“We recognise this decision may cause disappointment for some, but the safety of our community members and staff must always come first,” he said.