Campbelltown City Council to impose entry fees at Billabong Parklands, home of Sydney’s most expensive park benches

Swim for free, pay to sit down. That’s how it works at a recently opened southwest Sydney attraction… but not for much longer.

Booking one of these “huts” at Campbelltown's Billabong Parklands costs a minimum of $80. Picture: Campbelltown City Council

The home of Sydney’s most expensive park benches is about to get even more pricey, with entry fees to be imposed at the recently opened attraction.

The multimillion-dollar Campbelltown Billabong Parklands hit the headlines in September, when this masthead revealed the local council had made the bizarre decision to charge a minimum of $80 for a three-hour booking to sit on seats beside the pools, in which visitors could swim for free.

But that is about to change, with executive general manager for city placemaking and services Ben Hoyle saying the council had only endorsed free entry for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 financial years.

“At its October 2023 meeting … the council resolved to review the entry fee model for future financial years in line with the development of our operational plan,” Mr Hoyle said.

The council spokesman said an estimated 125,000 visitors would attend the Billabong Parklands over the summer, with “more than 60,000 visitors attending since it opened in June 2024”.

The Billabong Parklands, which only opened days before the end of last financial year. Picture: Campbelltown City Council

But even with the new fee structure, ratepayers are set to be $1m out of pocket each year, with annual running costs of $2.8m.

When the entry fees come into effect next October, ahead of the 2025-26 summer, adults are set to be charged $8.10, children and concession holders $5.40, and families $22.80.

Despite the entry fees and expensive seating, the Billabong Parklands is still set to operate at a $1m annual loss. Picture: Campbelltown City Council

These summer period charges, according to a council report, align with fees at other aquatic facilities in the Campbelltown area.

The entry fees, together with funds from bookings for ”exclusive access’ to “huts” that cost up to $150 to book, and revenue from a future cafe and other amenities, are only expected to recover 68 per cent of the Billabong Parklands’ annual operating costs

“The planned cafe within the Billabong Parklands is expected to open in 2025, for next swimming season,” the Campbelltown City Council executive general manager said.

“However, a coffee cart and food trucks will be in place during this swimming season.

A cafe is also expected to be added to the park sometime next year to help recover costs. Picture: Campbelltown City Council

Council members voted in favour of the fees at their most recent meeting, to ensure the “financial sustainability” of the Billabong.

“Council considers … its commitment to providing residents with affordable and accessible services and programs when setting fees for any facility,” Mr Hoyle said.

“The proposed fees will be included as part of council’s draft fees and charges and will be placed on public exhibition early next year.”

Entry fees are expected to kick in from October 2025. Picture: Inasha Iftekhar

However, the council did not say whether fees would be further increased to account for the anticipated $1m annual losses.

“Implementing an entry fee structure presents both opportunities and challenges,” the council’s report stated, adding that use of the parklands all year round was “vital” and entry fees would only apply from October to December.

“By carefully considering the needs of the community, the significance of the facility, and the … council’s budget, a more balanced approach can be achieved,” the report concluded.