The Corowa Aquatic Centre will chart new waters with a Tiered Supervision model over the next three years.
Federation Council has chosen to extend the review period for the Tiered Supervision service at the Corowa Aquatic Centre from one year to three years, calling into question the council’s adherence to the recommendations made in Professor Joseph Drew’s recent independent financial sustainability review.
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Professor Drew’s exhaustive financial analysis, which was tabled at last week’s monthly council meeting in Urana, recommended a clear course with the divestiture of the Corowa Aquatic Centre, to alleviate staff pressure, eliminate distractions from core service provision, and enhance risk management.
After welcoming Professor Drew’s 77 recommendations to ensure a more sustainable council, it was argued at the recent meeting that the recommended decision to extend the Tiered Supervision review period deviates from Professor Drew’s advice, sparking disagreement among council members.
The decision to prolong the review period, shifting from the initially proposed one year to three years, aims to address concerns related to staff recruitment and retention.
However, the move has not been without dissent within the council, resulting in a divided vote among members. Councillors Rowena Black, Aaron Nicholls, David Longley, and Sally Hughes stood in opposition to the decision, citing concerns about financial stability and the diversion of resources from core services.
“In Professor Drew’s recommendations, number 11 and 12, [he suggests] council outsources the Corowa Aquatic Centre to alleviate pressure on staff, eliminates distractions from core service provision and better manage risk,” Cr Hughes said.
“An extra $135,000 allocated to the running of this tiered model 3 means that we will be less financially stable than a contracted model. It’s also taking Officer Reidy and other staff away from other core services.”
Echoing these sentiments, Cr Nicholls expressed his astonishment at the allocation of $135,000 for a three-year extension.
“Professor Drew made it very clear that we should not be in the business of running swimming pools, and I am astounded that $135,000 is going to be spent to get us three years down the track,” he remarked.
Councillor Aaron Nicholls expressed disappointment at a recommendation to extend a tiered model service for the Corowa Aquatic Centre, highlighting concerns over the $135,000 allocation.
“$135,000- 380 community groups could have applications for events approved with that money. It’s half of a new toilet block. I certainly won’t be supporting this recommendation.”
Cr Black shared similar disappointment over the rejection of Professor Drew’s recommendations and the anticipated increase in costs, adding further strain on the already burdened staff.
On the contrary, Deputy Shaun Whitechurch argued that there would be savings, and that council owed the community the chance to trial tiered supervision without relinquishing council administration.
Meanwhile, Cr Andrew Kennedy also stressed the importance of giving the Tiered Supervision model a chance, highlighting that the extended review period was crucial for ensuring staff job security.
The vote ultimately swung in favour of the extended review period, with Crs Whitechurch, David Fahey OAM, Kennedy, and Mayor Patrick Bourke securing the majority. Mayor Bourke’s vote, counting as two, played a pivotal role in the decision-making process.
The initial resolution, passed in October after heated debates among councillors, included provisions for a review after 12 months of operation under the Tiered Supervision model.
It also outlined engagement with affected staff in accordance with the NSW Local Government Award requirements and further investigations into service delivery options for the Howlong Swimming Pool.
Under the Tiered Supervision model, there would be adjustment to supervision based on patron numbers and risk, with minimum supervision during low patronage and increased supervision during peak times. This model, aimed at streamlining operations and cutting costs, includes reduced staff resourcing and in-house routine pool maintenance, rather than by an external contractor.
However, it requires an additional budget of $135,000 for implementation, excluding the time of responsible staff to plan for and execute the model.
The 30-minute debate in October similarly resulted in a 5-4 vote against a staff recommendation for private operator management.
The decision to extend the review period means the Tiered Supervision model will be in effect for the 2024-25 summer right through to the 2026-27 summer. However, further decisions on operations could be made by a new council elected in September 2024.
In the November report to the council, it was reasoned that a two-month trial of the Tiered Supervision model would be insufficient to realise benefits or savings.
The report highlighted challenges such as the time, effort, and cost required for implementation, the lack of certainty for existing staff on temporary contracts, and the limited capacity of the HR team to support the workplace change and recruitment efforts.
