General Swimming Policies*

  • Appropriate swimwear must be worn at all times. For clarity, the following points are considered by Pool Staff when determining appropriate swim attire;
  • • Lycra and nylon are the best non-absorbent material for swimming and are the best fabrics for proper swim attire. Other absorbent materials (such as cotton) can break down in the water and cause fibres to clog filters.
  • • Regular street attire is not suitable for swimming as;
  • – it may inhibit a patron’s ability to safely move in the water and/ or follow staff directions during an emergency.
  • – it may contain oil, or excess contamination which affects the pools water balance
  • • Cleanliness of the swimming attire. Clothes recently used for exercise may not be used as appropriate swimming attire. For example, patrons that run or ride to the pool must change their attire before entering the water.
  • No alcohol or intoxicating drugs are permitted within the facilities
  • No glass containers or bottles are permitted within the facilities
  • Smoking is not permitted within the centre
  • Babies, children and persons suffering incontinence and who ordinarily wear nappies must wear an aqua-nappy/ swim wear that must have elasticised legs and waist
  • No person shall profit instruct, teach, coach or train a person in the centre without prior consent from management
  • No person shall instruct, teach, coach or train a person outside their immediate family, as shown on a family Medicare Card in the centre without prior consent from management
  • A person must not pollute, deposit rubbish or intentionally release bodily material or waste into the pool
  • Children or adults with a recent history of diarrhoea or a gastro infection are not permitted in the swimming pool – within 2 weeks of using the facility
  • A person cannot enter or use the water body if 1) suffering from a skin infection/communicable disease, 2) unclean conditions or 3) under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
  • All persons entering a facility must abide by the specific facility Conditions of Entry and Pool Rules – as shown within the pool entry area.
  • All persons entering a facility must follow the directions given by Pool Staff.

*Specific facility conditions of entry are displayed at the facility entrance.

Pensioner Entry Discount

  • A valid Pension Card and /or NSW Government issued Seniors Card must be shown to Pool Staff at the time of pool entry – on every occasion. Patrons not able to provide a valid Pension/ Seniors card will be required to pay the regular pool entry fee.
  • The onus is on the Pool Patron to bring with them a valid Pension/ Seniors Card – NOT Pool Staff to remember an individual circumstance or accept verbal requests.

Carers for Learn to Swim Classes

  • Free entry is provided on the basis that a Carer does not enter the water – unless under the instruction from an Instructor to participate in the delivery of a lesson . Payment of the appropriate entry fee is required once a parent enters the water – outside the lesson structure.

Non-swimming chaperon for Child under 12

  • Free entry is provided on the basis that chaperon does not enter the water. Payment of the appropriate entry fee is required once a Chaperon enters the water.
  • PLEASE NOTE: Free Chaperon entry is not permitted free entry when the Chaperon is attending the facility with a child that needs in-water supervision/ contact.

For example: Pool policy requires in-water, hands-on contact with swimmers under 5 years of age from a guardian. In this circumstance, the Chaperon entry fee does not apply. The guardian will be required to pay the appropriate pool entry fee.

Companion Card Holder

  • Free entry is provided on the basis that the Companion Card Holder maintains the distinct purpose of supervision and/or support of another person. This supervision or support can be delivered in or out of the water.
  • Payment of the appropriate entry fee is required once a Companion Card Holder enters the water to perform independent activity not related to the Companion they are supervising and provided free entry to assist.

For example; a Companion places the person under their care into a structured facility learn to swim lesson. The Companion will be required to pay the appropriate pool entry should they wish to enter another part of the water to do personal recreational swimming (such as laps).

Season Passes and Multi-Visit Passes

  • A Season Pass and/ or Multi-Entry Visit Pass purchased at any Upper Hunter Shire Swimming Pool can be used across all three facilities – Scone, Merriwa and Murrurundi. For example: A 20 Visit Pass purchased at Scone Pool can be used for entry at Merriwa or Murrurundi Pool.
  • Family Passes are registered against and can only be used by persons shown on the same Family/ Group Medicare Card.
  • All Passes expire at the end of the financial year in which they were purchased.
  • Refunds are not given for un-used entry visit passes, from one season to the next. For example: A 20 Visit Pass purchased in financial year 2020-21 with left over visits will not be provided with refunds nor permitted for use in financial year 2021-22
  • Mutli-Visit Passes can be shared and used by one than one individual. For example: Tom buys a 20 Visit Pass. Tom can use a visit entry for himself and his friend Jane when he comes to the pool. Discretion for using visits on a Multi-Visit Pass remains with the owner of the Multi-Visit Pass.
  • Lost Cards/ Tags: All Season Passes and Multi-Visit passes are registered and the owner is provided with a tag. The facility must be provided with notice when a tag is lost immediately. The facility is not responsible for the use of a lost tag whilst the facility has not been notified – and refunds in this circumstance will not be offered.

Private Event Supervision Policies

Children under the age of five years must be accompanied by an adult while in any pool and always remain within arm’s reach

  • Children under the age of ten years must be supervised by an appropriate parent or guardian
  • Groups will not be admitted where the number of parent/guardian’s supervising a group of children under five years of age, exceeds the ratio of 1:4
  • Groups will not be admitted where the number of parent/guardian’s supervising a group of children under ten years of age, exceeds the ratio of 1:10

Personal Food & Drinks / Use of facility BBQ’s

  • Patrons are permitted to bring their own food and drinks into the facility – No Glass containers
  • Use of facility BBQ’s is coordinated on a “first in” basis, and reservations for BBQ use must be made via the facility reception. Requests to use a facility BBQ may be rejected by Pool Staff without a pre-arranged booking reservation.

Pool Leave Passes – Same Day

  • Patrons wishing to leave the facility to purchase outside food or other reasons, will be issued with a 45minute (maximum) leave pass. Should the patron leave for a period greater than 45minutes will be required to pay entry again.

Free Birthday Party Bookings

  • Must be pre-booked with the facility
  • Will be allocated 1 table and 4 chairs for 3 hours: for a maximum of 2 bookings per timeslot
  • Will be permitted to use facility freezer or fridge to store cake only. No other food or drinks will be stored by facility.
  • Person responsible for booking is to supply all party requirements in full, including; paper plates, sunscreen, serviettes and drink cups.
  • Will not have pool space reserved or be permitted to assume control over any part of the pool. To remove any confusion; party guests must share all facility assets with the public fairly.
  • Must complete the Birthday Party Booing Form in full and submit to the facility no less than 14 days before the party.

Lane Hire

  • Minimum of 60 minutes applies to lane hire bookings
  • No Half Lane Hire

Cancellation Fees & Refunds

  • Cancellations with more than 48hrs notice will be charged a $30 administration fee.
  • Cancellations with less than 48hrs notice will be charged a $75 administration fee.
  • Cancellation of facility hire requires written notice via email and/or completion of Booking Amendment or Cancellation Form at the facility. Failure to do so will result in the full deposit fee being charged.
  • Refunds will only be provided when a program and/ or service is ceased or declined due to a fault made by Community Aquatics.

Booking Changes

  • Changes made to an original booking must be authorised by the Facility.
  • All requests for changes must be submitted in writing
  • All change requests must be made in writing via email and/or completion of Booking Amendment or Cancellation Form at the facility, AND no less than 48hrs before the event.
  • Changes are not permitted on the day of booking.

Ejection from the Facility

Public swimming facilities are offered as respectful and safe environments. Patrons may be asked to leave the facility for:

  • Constant swearing and/ or rude behaviour
  • Breaches of the Conditions of Entry
  • Not following staff directions and requests
  • Behaviour that impedes the ability of Pool Staff to provide a duty of care and a safe environment for other patrons.
  • Inappropriate behaviour toward Pool Staff and/ or other Pool Patrons

Pool Closure Due to Lightning and /or Equipment Breakdowns

  • Pool environments are extremely vulnerable to lightning strikes. Patrons will be asked to leave the water should lighting be in the vicinity of any pool – for no less than 30minutes and until Pool Staff determine that the storm has passed safely. Patrons are not entitled to refunds due to lightning closing a pool for any period.
  • Facilities are managed according to strict conditions and procedures. Refunds will not be issued due to mechanical failure or event that may occur outside the control of Community Aquatics Pool Staff.