Non-swimming spectators are set to be charged a $3 entry fee to JM Robson Aquatic Centre starting from this Saturday, July 1.
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The new charge resembles the spectator fees charged by Blue Mountains City Council, $2.30, and Bathurst City Council, $2.
Spectators are able to enter Orange Aquatic Centre for free.
One parent or guardian will continue to be able to supervise their child free of charge at all Learn to Swim lessons at JM Robson.
The fee increase was adopted at Monday night’s council meeting as part of the Fees and Charges for 2017-18.
The fees and charges were included in the Draft Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework put on public exhibition in May.
Lithgow City Council operations manger Iain Stewart said the fee increase for non-swimmers was justifiable.
“Council has to cover the cost of the infrastructure and the running costs of the pool so obviously if people are entering the pool and perhaps using the toilet facilities etc then we think it’s a reasonable to levy a charge,” Mr Stewart said.
The spectator fee increase coincides with the entry rates for a family rising from $16 to $17, adult from $6 to $6.50 and child or concession from $4 to $4.50.
“I still think the fees for swimming are still fairly cheap and the six monthly tickets are very reasonably priced,” Mr Stewart said.
In a statement on its Facebook page on Tuesday, June 27, Lithgow City Council said spectators were previously charged the full adult entry fee of $6.
No submissions were received during the 28 day advertising period for the Draft Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework, which closed on June 12.
However Mr Stewart said there was a chance the fee increase could be rescinded.
“Absolutely yes, there always is. It’s a political decision or a policy decision for the councillors to make. Staff don’t set the fees and charges, they’re set by council and if council wanted to change them, they certainly could,” he said.
“Council are always prepared to take on any suggestions and submissions that might be made if there’s sufficient opposition to this.”
Community members are able to make a written submission to ask council to review the fees and charges at the aquatic centre.
Details for how to do so can be found on the Lithgow City Council website.