Shock as Fraser Coast council cancels competitive swimming programs

Swimming clubs have been left in shock after competitive programs at the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre were cancelled by the council in order to provide more lanes to hire.

Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre.Photo: Alistair Brightman

Hervey Bay’s competitive swimming community has been thrown into turmoil following the announcement the council's competitive fitness classes for children and adults will soon be axed.

Fraser Coast Regional Council confirmed the news via a post on the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre’s Facebook page this week.

Hervey Bay Swimming Club shared the news and said there would be an opportunity to speak with council staff at 4pm Tuesday about the decision.

The council has invited organisations to instead hire lanes to run their own swimming programs.

“From Monday July 3, 2023, competitive squad, junior squad and adult (swim) fitness classes will no longer be provided at the centre,” the post on the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre page read.

Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre.

“This change provides an opportunity for organisations to hire lanes or to deliver programs during peak periods in the mornings and afternoons.

“An expression of interest process will be launched in the coming days via council’s website and social media platforms.

“We hope that organisations will embrace this opportunity to provide quality aquatic programs that meet community needs.”

It is understood the announcement took the region’s councillors by surprise as they were not informed of the outcome until they received a briefing note almost two hours after the public announcement.

Masters swimming club Hervey Bay Humpbacks’ Anne Chadwick said at this point it did not look like the organisation would be impacted by the decision.

But she said council needed to consult with all the affected community groups.

A council spokesman confirmed it would not longer provide competitive squad, junior squad or adult swim fitness classes at the aquatic centre.

“Aqua fitness classes such as aqua aerobics and aqua Zumba, learn to swim, TCS development and other programs will continue as usual,” the spokesman said.

“Council does not provide competitive-level coaching at any other council facilities, including the Maryborough Aquatic Centre, or for any other sports.

“This decision has been made to ensure council focuses on delivering core services and our facilities are being used to their full potential.

“It provides an opportunity for organisations interested in hiring the available lane space for community use or to deliver programs during peak morning and afternoon periods.

“If the Hervey Bay Swimming Club, the Triathlon Club or similar organisations wish to hire lanes and provide competitive swimming or other programs, they would be welcome to do so through an expression of interest process that will be launched in the coming days.

“While the Hervey Bay Swimming Club has expressed disappointment with the decision, the Triathlon Club was supportive and looks forward to the EOI process.

“This is an operational decision with councillors informed of the final decision at around the same time as council staff, the Swimming Club, the Triathlon Club and the general community.”