Bay Pavilions: Eurobodalla Shire Council scraps soft drink ban ahead of pool, gallery launch

Visitors to the Bay Pavilions will be in for a surprise when it opens later this year after councillors voted to scrap a longstanding ban on the sale of soft drinks. Find out why.

An eight-year-old ban on the sale of soft drinks at council-owned venues has been repealed as work on the $60 million Bay Pavilions nears completion.

More than seven council-run swimming pools, sports facilities, and art centres were bound to the 2013 motion which prohibited the sale of popular beverages including Coca Cola and tonic water used in mixed drinks.

While councillors acknowledged the rule was well-intended, they agreed that it was out of touch with the scope of services now run by the Eurobodalla Shire Council, many of which were founded after the motion was passed.

In an ordinary session on February 22, councillors voted unanimously to repeal the ban, stating that it no longer suited community expectations.

“I believe this was a very well thought through motion when it was first brought to council and adopted,” Councillor Alison Worthington said.

Artist's renders of the Batemans Bay Pavilions which is due to open to the public in 2022. Photo: Eurobodalla Regional Council

“But, I think that there‘s still room for us to explore what community expectations are around the availability of highly-sugared foods and drinks at health and leisure facilities.”

The Bay Pavilions facility is due to open in June 2022, and will include an aquatic centre, cafe, and art facility – a far cry from the family-focused swimming pools run by the council when the prohibition was first passed.

In order to boost revenue, the council was advised to repeal the ban, which will also take effect at other council-owned facilities and festivals important to local tourism, council documents state.

While the motion has paved the way for children to also access carbonated drinks, including at pools, councillors unanimously passed an amendment that would see the council replace the ban with a new health initiative.

Councillor Amber Schutz provided the wording for the motion, and urged for more community engagement on the subject.

“As part of this vote, the council should explore a strategy to promote healthy food or a healthy food strategy within council-owned facilities,” she said.

Brendan Cavanagh, Cooks Soft Drinks in Pittsworth. Wednesday, October 20, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

“This will allow us a little more time to develop it completely with consultation with the public.”

Councillor David Grace recommended the introduction of a traffic lights-style system, whereby foods of differing nutritional value are advertised as being either red, orange, or green.

Moving forward, Mayor Mathew Hatcher said they would seek guidance from Bay Pavilions-operator Aligned Leisure, who he acknowledged for having already begun work on promoting healthy food and beverage options.

“Aligned Leisure has provided information to council and councillors on some of the steps they’ve already taken, and this we’ll be using that as a template to go forward,” he said.

From July 1, all three council-run swimming pools will also be operated by Aligned Leisure.