Why Winchelsea families may skip the pool this summer

The Winchelsea Pool will reopen for the summer next week, but an increase in entry fees has left local families feeling they can no longer afford to dive in.

The facility’s new pricing structure, announced by the Surf Coast Shire last week, lists adult entry at $7.50, child and concession tickets at $6, and family admission – for two adults and two children – at $21.

Multi‑visit passes are available, but the former facility’s popular season pass hasn’t made a return, and the remaining 10‑visit adult pass, priced at $67.50, offers a saving of just $7.50.

The pool, which opened to the public in February last year after an $8.9 million redevelopment, will operate for its first full season this summer, running from November 29 until March 9.

But the lack of a season pass has become a sticking point for many locals, particularly those who had hoped for more affordable access over the longer season.

Frustration has been building online, with many residents taking to Facebook to question why more family‑friendly access options haven’t been considered this year.

“The no season pass is going to have a real impact on us,” one resident said.

Another commented: “It will be too costly for the average family to use regularly.”

Winchelsea ward councillor Tony Phelps also weighed in on the issue, suggesting the season pass had flown “under the radar”.

“Discussions are being had,” he said.

Other commenters compared Winchelsea’s situation to coastal towns like Torquay, suggesting inland towns are being left behind in terms of services.

“We get less than Torquay, and they’ve got beaches,” one post read.

As cost‑of‑living pressures continue to bite, many are now calling for greater transparency and consultation around pool access, with some suggesting the return of a community‑led management model.

Damian Waight, the shire’s general manager of community life, said the pool’s 10‑visit pass, which replaces the season passes offered in previous years, aimed to improve flexibility for swimmers, ensuring they only pay for the visits they use.

“Based on the operating costs and forecast visitation numbers, we expect to subsidise each visit this season by about $20,” he said.

“When setting fees, we think about what is fair in relation to users of a service paying to get the benefit of participating versus the cost worn by the wider ratepaying community.

“We are listening to community feedback and looking forward to a great summer at the Winchelsea Pool.”

For more, pick up a copy of this week’s Surf Coast Times. For opening hours and pricing details, visit the Winchelsea Pool page on the Surf Coast Shire website.