Shellharbour City Council Aquatics and Recreation Manager Graham Suckley with Cathy Richardson and Kylie Riek at Beverley Whitfield Ocean Pool. Photo: Shellharbour City Council.
Shellharbour’s aquatic facilities are making waves, with council weighing future changes to seasonal operation of two pools, while boosting accessibility through a new water wheelchair at another swim spot.
Beverley Whitfield Ocean Pool in Shellharbour Village has expanded access for swimmers of all abilities by introducing a new water wheelchair to complement a new permanent accessible ramp built during recent major pool upgrades.
At a recent Shellharbour City Council meeting, councillors unanimously endorsed a report responding to a previous council resolution to provide options that consider long-term planning to extend the seasonal operation of Albion Park and Warilla pools in response to community feedback.
Moved by councillor Kellie Marsh and seconded by Cr Mitch Ellis, under the recommended approach, the 2025/26 season would remain unchanged, with both pools scheduled to close from 30 March.
Any adjustments to operational seasons would be considered from 2026/27 onwards, taking in community demand, visitation patterns and opportunities to manage rising operational costs.
“It’s great that we’ve had this opportunity to speak with community and council staff on the operational seasons of our pools,” Cr Marsh said.
She said she looked forward to it now coming back to council as part of its operational budget.
Planning work includes assessing how each pool supports community needs and opportunities to align future operating periods with demand and broader recreation planning across the city.
Mayor Chris Homer said this report supported a balanced approach that maintained certainty now, while enabling informed long-term strategic decision-making.
“This approach gives council the opportunity to undertake thoughtful planning for the future of our aquatic facilities, while ensuring the community experiences no change to the upcoming season,” Cr Homer said.
Council has also introduced a new water wheelchair at the Beverley Whitfield Ocean Pool in Shellharbour Village to further strengthen accessibility following major pool upgrades completed during the summer.
Upgrades included a new permanent accessible ramp to improve safety and ease of access for people of all ages and abilities, resurfacing of parts of the pool deck, stormwater improvements and targeted repairs to the pool concourse.
Cr Homer said the addition of the water wheelchair ensured everyone could enjoy the pool.
“Council is committed to providing facilities that meet the needs of our growing and diverse community,” he said.
“By combining major accessibility upgrades with practical support like the water wheelchair, we’re ensuring the ocean pool is a space where everyone feels welcome.”
The lightweight, easy‑to‑manoeuvre water wheelchair is designed to support swimmers with limited mobility to safely enter, move about, and exit the ocean pool.
Available when lifeguards are on duty, for safety two support people must accompany the swimmer and assist in guiding the chair down the ramp, positioning it in the water and supporting transfers.
Safety features include a lap belt, footrests, brakes and compatibility with the pool’s new accessibility railing system.
It is recommended swimmers wear a lifejacket or flotation device when using the chair.
Beverley Whitfield Ocean Pool has been a cherished part of the Shellharbour coastline since 1894 and was renamed in honour of Shellharbour Olympic swimmer Beverley Whitfield in 1994.
A short instructional video demonstrating the safe use of the water wheelchair is now available.
