Swimming pools in Melbourne’s east closed due to bushfire smoke haze
Bad news if you’re looking to beat the heat today – your local pool may be closed. Find out if your area is affected.
Outer East
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Smoke from the bushfires and poor air quality has caused pools across Melbourne’s east to close.
Indoor and outdoor pools in Boroondara, Stonnington, Whitehorse, Monash, Maroondah, Manningham, Yarra Ranges and Knox have closed for the day, with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) advising people in smoke affected areas to stay indoors and limit exposure to smoke.
In Maroondah, both the outdoor Croydon Memorial Pool and Aquanation in Ringwood are shut.
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A post on Maroondah Council’s Facebook page said the decision was made after the EPA’s air quality assessment changed from hazardous to very poor, and other health recommendations.
The post also said the council was concerned about Aquanation’s airconditioning system drawing smoke inside the venue.
Knox Leisureworks in Boronia was closed earlier today but its indoor pools and gym facilities are open and swimming lessons are running as normal.
In the Yarra Ranges, five pools are closed because of the poor air quality.
This includes Kilsyth Centenary Pool, Belgrave Outdoor Pool, Healesville Outdoor Pool, Lilydale Outdoor Pool and Seville Waterplay Park.
Yarra Ranges Council warned Olinda Community Pool would be closed if conditions worsened and advised the community to keep an eye on social media for updates.
Box Hill’s AquaLink, Oakleigh Recreation Centre and the Monash Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Glen Waverley are also closed.
Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre’s indoor pools and gym facilities are open, and the outdoor pool reopened from 4pm. Swimming lessons are running as normal.
The outdoor areas of two Stonnington pools have also been closed due to the poor air quality rating.
Stonnington Council made the decision for Harold Holt Swimming Centre in Glen Iris and the Prahran Aquatic Centre, following EPA advice.
The EPA recommends outdoor areas are shut when the air quality is deemed to be either ‘very poor’ or ‘hazardous’.
A Boroondara spokesman said the YMCA, which manages Boroondara’s aquatic facilities, had “closed all outdoor pools” and would monitor conditions before reopening.
MORE: TRADIES URGED TO AVOID SMOKE HAZE
AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS UNDER THREAT
Pools closed due to smoke haze include:
— Croydon Memorial Pool
— Kilsyth Centenary Pool
— Belgrave Outdoor Pool
— Healesville Outdoor Pool
— Lilydale Outdoor Pool
— Seville Waterplay Park
— AquaLink (Box Hill)
— Oakleigh Recreational Centre
— Monash Aquatic and Recreational Centre (Glen Waverley)
— Harold Holt Swimming Centre (Glen Iris)
— Prahran Aquatic Centre
— Hawthorn Aquatic
— Boroondara Sports Complex (Balwyn)