Backflip on public pool management

Sean Hefferon
LAST month Toodyay Shire confirmed it was unable to manage the public swimming pool for the 2024/25 season.

Reasons for this decision include thelack of qualified staff and professional management.

According to a recent public notice by Shire President Cr McKeown the shire had been faced with the immediate closure of the public swimming pool last month – “due to legacy issues inherited from the previous contractor operator”.

Clublinks, a national company that manages fitness and aquatic centres exited their contract with the shire on June 30, five months before the contract end date.

Their departure came several months after a new council leadership team was voted in
with a focus on a shire managed recreation centre including the public swimming pool.

The shire also confirmed that Clublinks had not been contacted regarding the matter, before the public notice was issued.

The confidential legacy issues were identified “from 31 October onwards”.

Specifically, identified by the shire’s CEO Aaron Bowman while performing “routine
investigations” relating to the public pool including reviewing the previous operation,
and overseeing pool water testing.

When the Herald asked why a due diligence review was not done by the shire at the time of pool handover the question was taken on notice.

Whether or not a due diligence was done remains unclear; even if it was, the shire’s
response is it will remain confidential.

As will the legacy issues referred to in the public notice said to have had the potential
to immediately close the pool.

However, at last month’s council meeting on November 26 it was revealed in a report
by Mr Bowman that the shire employed swimming pool manager had resigned.

His resignation was given on November 4 with a finish date of Friday November 8.

The report said, “without the required qualified and trained staff, the facility would
be required to close”.

The report continues, that due to the “emergency of the situation” the Shire President authorised the CEO to engage Contract Aquatic Services to manage the pool to prevent it from having to be closed for “an extended period of time”.

This authorisation enabled the use of the emergency provision within the shire’s
purchasing policy.

This allowed the new contractor to be engaged without the matter going to council
for consideration.

Two days after the pool manager’s resignation and almost a week after the legacy issues were identified a special council meeting was held to address the then proposed staff restructure.

The Herald understands that matters relating to the public pool were not raised
at the special council meeting.

These matters were however questioned by community members who attended the
November 26 council meeting.

During public question time former councillor Beth Ruthven asked shire
CEO Aaron Bowman what caused the emergency, and he said, “no qualified staff
and compliance issues”.

Referencing the Emergency Management Act 2005, Susan Pearce who left council in 2023, asked about the nature of the emergency and whether it met the definition
of such under the Act.

The Act defines an emergency as “meaning the occurrence or imminent occurrence
of a hazard which is of such a nature or magnitude that it requires a significant and
coordinated response”.

Mr Bowman replied, “the emergency was that the pool would be closed immediately”
adding further advice was it didn’t need to be considered an emergency as he had the
approval to do it just has to authorise the expenditure.

Follow up questions from Ms Ruthven included who decided that the shire could
no longer manage the swimming pool for the 2024/25 season.

Mr Bowman said it was his decision based on “25 years of local government experience
with a number of those running pools.”

Reasons for this decision included lack of experienced staff and that resources were not
allocated to ensure compliant operation.

A pool manager from Contract Aquatic Services started at the public swimming pool
on November 11.

This was the same day that Shire President Cr McKeown met with the shire CEO to
“address the situation that had arisen at the Shire Swimming Pool following compliance
and safety issues that needed urgent attention and second, the resignation of the Recreation Facilities Manager.”

At the November 26 meeting the CEO’s recommendation was council “note the
expenditure of $157,800 to Contract Aquatic Services to manage and operate the Toodyay
Aquatic Centre for the 2024/25 season and related budget amendments resulting in a nil
impact to the budget.”

The recommendation passed 4-2 with Crs McKeown, Prater, McCormick, Dival for
and against were Crs Madasci and Wrench (with Cr Duri being absent on leave).