A petition calling on Gunnedah Shire Council to increase the temperature of the heated pool has been discussed by councillors and staff.
The matter was brought to the June council meeting with the petition and its 144 signatures tabled.
The petition requested that the temperature be increased by two degrees.
“This small adjustment would make a significant difference for those who rely on the pool for health, rehabilitation, and general wellbeing,” the petition read.
“Many users attend specifically for therapeutic purposes, where warmer water can help ease muscle stiffness, improve circulation, and support mobility.”
Information tabled at the recent meeting shows that the council has set the pool’s temperature at 28 degrees, the highest recommended level.
“Council was advised that the optimal temperature for swimming is between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius to avoid dehydration, muscle cramps and overheating, and to ensure comfort and safety,” the business paper states.
“In the past, prior to the 2025 winter season, the indoor heated pool had operated at 30.8 degrees – above the recommended level – at the request of a few users.
“Advice from experts who serviced the pool’s heat exchanger, was that operating at the higher temperature was putting pressure on the equipment and was shortening its useful life and causing breakdowns.
“It was also using an unnecessary amount of power and accelerating the evaporation and breakdown of chlorine – adding to the cost of running the pool.”
Cr Juliana McArthur added to the original motion, which had been moved by Cr Ann Luke, and explained that the temperature is set according to recommendations by Swimming Australia.
“I note that there are 144 signatures on the petition, but we have an independent assessment as to that temperature by relevant third parties,” she told the meeting. “I accept the officer’s discussion in the report about why the temperature is set as it is for public health and wear and tear on equipment and cost, which we don’t necessarily have quantified, but it’s certainly warmer than what I expected.
“I appreciate that people have a difference of opinion, but we have to balance health concerns, cost, and if Swimming Australia, Swimming NSW, and Royal Life Saving Australia all agree on 28 degrees, then I think that that seems to be a fair way forward.”
Cr Linda Newell spoke against the motion saying she had looked through information regarding temperatures.
“Having been a previous swimmer, I checked it out a little bit,” she said.
“So when we look at…Royal Life Saving Australia, Swimming Australia, and Swimming NSW they certainly do have the recommended pool temperature between 25 and 28 for swimming, for lap swimming.
However, if you go look at the same sort of information, you’ll find that for recreation and play, the temperature recommended is 28 to 29.
“For children and seniors, the recommended temperature is 29 to 31. And for therapy…and I know it’s not a hydrotherapy pool…but a lot of people, older people go there and walk. So for therapy and hydrotherapy, the recommendation is 32 to 35.
“There are three other groups within our community that utilise the pool, that we are not servicing by utilising the temperature at what we need to set for Swimming NSW.”
Cr Newell said there are recommendations in relation to hydration and rest with pools set at higher temperatures.
Cr Rob Hoddle spoke in favour of the motion and said it is uncomfortable to swim in pools above 28 degrees.
“If you seriously want to do some exercise, that’s what the pool really is,” he said.
“If you want to increase it and increase the loss the pool makes to this community, which is about $1.5m a year, and stick another $100,000 of heating, go ahead…and also pump repairs and extra chemical.
“It doesn’t make sense. We’re losing enough money there now, and it can accommodate everyone at 28, and that’s the upper end of the recommendation.”
Cr Kate McGrath acknowledged that the petition was the first received under the council’s new petition policy.
“I really am pleased that we have a mechanism for community to directly appeal to councillors and place items that are of importance on the agenda,” she said.
The motion to receive and note the information and direct the relevant director to install, in a prominent position, a permanent sign specifying the temperature of the indoor pool and how the temperature is set as recommended by Swimming Australia, Swimming NSW and Royal Lifesaving Australia was carried with seven votes in favour and two against.
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