Hindmarsh Outdoor Pools Post-Season Review & Community Input for 25/26
Published on 01 May 2025
After the first season of running Hindmarsh Outdoor Pools directly, Hindmarsh Shire Council is reviewing attendance, opening hours and staffing to plan for the 2025/2026 season. We are extremely grateful for the support we received from the community and our fantastic seasonal staff.
We have heard how valued free pools are to the community and want to ensure we’re staffed and open at times that best suit users across the four pools. To continue to keep pools open for free and ensure that we’re using ratepayer funding responsibly, we’ve used the statistics, expenditure and rosters from 2024/2025 to propose some changes to the next season that will keep pools free during public opening times without unreasonably diverting resources away from other services and projects that are important to you.
Council is limited in the ways that we can reduce operating costs, as there are clear guidelines about staffing, safety, and water quality that make sure our pools are fun and safe to visit.
The proposed changes that can be implemented without compromising safety are detailed below, including opening hours, closures and other pool policies. Each pool has been allocated a weekday where the pool will be closed - this is based on visitation for each pool on weekdays and is alternated to ensure there is another open pool nearby, as well as to support staff shortages. The planned closure day will also enable maintenance and testing of the pool, and reducing unplanned disruptions in normal use periods.
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Current
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Proposed
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Extended Hours
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Pools remain open when temperatures exceed 30ºc until 8:30pm or when all patrons leave the facility.
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Pools to remain open until 8:30pm when temperature is forecast to be over 30ºc - decision to be made 30 minutes before scheduled closing time and hours will only extend if there are 5 or more users at time of decision.
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Sunday Hours – All Sites During School Term
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2pm – 7pm
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Pools to open on Sundays from 2pm – 6pm due to consistent low attendance across all sites from 6pm – 7pm.
Hours may be extended to 7:30pm under the same conditions as standard hour extensions.
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Minimum Opening Temperature
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If the maximum forecast temperature is predicted to be below 23ºc at the Rainbow Weather station as per the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, the facility may be closed at the manager’s discretion.
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If the maximum forecast temperature is predicted to be below 25ºc at the Rainbow Weather station as per the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, the facility may be closed at the manager’s discretion.
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Jeparit Outdoor Pool Opening Days and Hours
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Monday – Friday: 4pm – 7pm
Weekends and School Holidays: 2pm – 7pm
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Wednesday - Closed
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 4pm – 6pm
Saturdays and School Holidays: 3pm – 7pm
Sundays: 2pm – 6pm
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Rainbow Outdoor Pool Opening Days and Hours
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Monday – Friday: 3:30pm – 6:30pm
Weekends and School Holidays: 2pm – 7pm
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Tuesday – Closed
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 3:30pm – 6pm
Saturdays and School Holidays: 2pm – 7pm
Sundays: 2pm – 6pm
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Dimboola Outdoor Pool Opening Days and Hours
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Monday – Friday: 3:30pm – 6:30pm
Weekends and School Holidays: 2pm – 7pm
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Thursday – Closed
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 3:30pm – 6pm
Saturdays and School Holidays: 2pm – 7pm
Sundays: 2pm – 6pm
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Nhill Outdoor Pool Opening Days and Hours
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Monday – Friday: 3:30pm – 6:30pm
Weekends and School Holidays: 2pm – 7pm
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Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 3:30pm – 6pm
Saturdays and School Holidays: 2pm – 7pm
Sundays: 2pm – 6pm
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While these changes reflect data from the previous season, we understand that community preference is also an important factor when considering opening hours. Before we make any final decision on these changes, we want to hear from you around how these changes might impact you and whether they reflect community preferences.
Have Your Say on these proposed changes by visiting www.haveyoursay.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/hindmarsh-outdoor-pools-post-season-review.
For more information, please contact Jennie Hauselberger, Coordinator Sports and Recreation, on 03 5391 4444, or email jhauselberger@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.
Monica Revell
Chief Executive Officer