Push to abolish photo ID to gain entry into Cumberland swimming pools

The boss of Royal Life Saving NSW has urged a council to retain a rule for swimmers to produce photo ID before entering a group of western Sydney aquatic centres. Read why.

Granville is a “hotspot” of crime at Cumberland Council aquatic centres.

The boss of Royal Life Saving NSW has urged Cumberland Council not to scrap its requirement for aquatic centre patrons to produce photo identification, saying the rule has been effective in curbing violent incidents against lifeguards and staff.

The comments come ahead of councillors Joseph Rahme and Steve Christou’s proposal to abolish the compulsory identification at swimming pools including Granville, Merrylands and Wentworthville.

Royal Life Saving NSW chief executive Michael Ilinsky said anecdotal evidence from lifeguards and Granville staff showed strong proof the rule had worked in deterring crime at the aquatic centre which was a “hotspot”.

“The measures introduced by Cumberland Council come at a critical time, as reports from the recent summer period show an alarming increase in incidents where lifeguards have been violently assaulted, abused and even spat on while on duty,’’ he said.

“Royal Life Saving NSW unequivocally condemns all forms of violence, abuse, and aggression directed at lifeguards, swim teachers, and customer service staff.’’

Michael Ilinsky backs the council’s photo ID rule.

He said recent data revealed that more than 2000 incidents of abuse, violence and aggression were reported in aquatic facilities across Australia in the past year.

“This is wholly unacceptable,’’ he said.

Mr Ilinsky said 61 per cent of the organisation’s employees were under 24 and 85 per cent of swim teachers were female.

“These statistics make clear that our workforce is especially at risk of workplace aggression,’’ he said.

“We don’t want young kids who are looking for a career in the industry to have an understanding that it’s not a safe place to work.’’

Across the country, a Keep Your Cool at the Pool campaign was introduced to promote respect toward aquatic centre staff.

The photo ID requirement was rolled out last year in response to tackling crime at Cumberland swimming pools, which forced the council to spend $100,000 on security guards and $60,000 on police to manage the centres over the past two years.

It is understood one of the incidents involved a swimmer assaulting a lifeguard at Granville Swim Centre.

But Cr Rahme labelled it unfair that rowdy, “troublemaking kids” were punishing the whole community and said a blanket ban should not be enforced.

Photo ID is needed to enter Cumberland pools including Wentworthville Memorial Swimming Centre. Picture: Monique Harmer

“I had a lot of complaints from elderly, law-abiding adults about why they need to produce a licence or passport to enter a pool,’’ he said.

Last month, the council’s mayor and general manager were forced to apologise to a distressed 85-year-old woman after she was rejected from her water aerobics class because she did not have photo identification.

Mr Ilinsky said he understood privacy concerns about the rule but early outcomes of the trial were promising, particularly at Granville, where there had been a “very strong reduction” and the number of incidents impacting staff.

The council agenda for Wednesday’s meeting stated the motion to axe the photo ID rule could generate several “legal and risk implications” concerning the safety of patrons, children and council staff at swim centres, including “the reputational risk” to the council.

It could also require ratepayers to fork out to boost security.

“There are also financial implications for council to consider, as council may be required to reinstate paid police during peak periods and additional security guards to manage patron behaviour,’’ it stated.

“The removal of this system by council will require the general manager to review safety procedures for staff and implement alternative measures which minimise the risk of assault on council staff.’’

The report on the agenda stated those alternative procedures and measures would need to be implemented immediately to ensure the council was compliant with its child protection policies and the Work Health and Safety Act.

Originally published as Push to abolish photo ID to gain entry into Cumberland swimming pools