By Prealene Khera
As a heatwave seared through Brimbank on the first weekend of January, capacity issues at the local pool continued to be a sore point for residents.
With the mercury peaking at 37 degrees on Sunday, January 5, residents flooded into the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre (BAWC) to cool-off.
But respite from sweltering temperatures wasn’t a dive away for everyone, with BAWC informing the public it had reached capacity by mid-afternoon.
It prompted Copernicus Ward councillor Maria Kerr to take to social media to voice her frustration.
“We need an outdoor pool and another aquatic centre in Brimbank,” she said.
“The issue is, we are used to the neglect [and] lack of facilities in the west.”
Cr Kerr’s stand reinforces her call from February last year, when people were turned away from the pool due to similar capacity problems.
At the time, Cr Kerr told Star Weekly that the community “desperately needed” an outdoor pool at BAWC.
Twelve months later, the prospect of that build remains a pipe-dream.
Brimbank council community wellbeing director Lynley Dumble said there was demand for additional funding for public pools.
“Summer weekends with temperatures of over 30 degrees put significant pressure on all local swimming pools around metropolitan Melbourne,” she said.
“This is especially evident in the west and outer west, where there is a lack of facilities like the BAWC which attracts a huge number of visitors, many from outside the municipality.
“More investment is needed across Melbourne’s west to ensure everyone has access to public pools.”
In December 2024, Western Metropolitan MP David Ettershank highlighted the growing problem of pool scarcity in the west.
He said Brimbank had the hottest land surface temperature in Melbourne and so it “desperately needed” public swimming pools and green spaces.
“I know councils do not have the resources to build new pools, so I am calling on the state government to deliver desperately needed pools and green spaces, and not to leave the west to bake,” Mr Ettershank said.
A state government spokesperson said Brimbank council had not sought funding for an outdoor pool in the area.
“Councils and community groups are encouraged to put forward a proposal for a new outdoor swimming pool through programs like the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, which is currently open for applications,” the spokesperson said.
