Pool entry age limit stays at 12 years

Forbes Shire Council and its pool contractors adopted a Royal Life Saving recommendation to require anyone up to the age of 14 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the pool.

But at Thursday’s Council meeting, where councillors had the opportunity to finalise the ruling, they instead voted to change the rule to “anyone under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible person”.

Natalie Walker presented a petition and a survey to councillors at the meeting.

Mrs Walker said she had not had much time between the release of the Council business paper and the meeting, but she and another parent had gained 121 signatures in 24 hours on a petition against a 15-year-old age limit.

They also had 177 votes on a social media poll asking whether parents would attend the pool with their 11 to 14-year-olds if they couldn’t go on their own. Just 12 per cent said yes, they would. 

Mrs Walker said there was no official pool policy for parents to seek out, and that there had been no consultation before the age limit was raised.

When councillors debated the issue, Deputy Mayor Jenny Webb said her children had been State representative swimmers before they were 12.

“I hope common sense prevails,” she said in moving a lower age limit. “We should be doing what’s best for our community.”

Cr Michelle Herbert agreed, and said the greater concern was that children would go to the weir or river if not the pool. 

How pool staff will be able to determine the age and / or swimming ability of children was also a topic of discussion.