The Bega District News approached the council hoping to clear up some questions surrounding the Bega Valley Shire Council's proposal for a special rate variation (SRV) to cover the ongoing operation and renewal of the pools, as well as an existing decade-old SRV that, in part, covers pool infrastructure.

Their initial response to "double dipping" claims was published previously - click here - with a more detailed response to our questions provided this week.

As revealed in Australian Community Media following council's public info sessions on the proposed SRV, an SRV was implemented in 2008/09 that had among its funding streams "recreational buildings and pools".

BVSC general manager Leanne Barnes said this earlier "broad-based" SRV was for a range of assets, "with a relatively small portion slated for recreational buildings and pools".

"The larger allocations of this broad-based SRV were for sealing rural roads, rehabilitating culverts and bridges and the provision of ocean lifeguards during the summer," Ms Barnes said.

"The 'recreation buildings and pools' portion that raises approximately $90,000pa in today's terms is a combined allocation for these two important community asset groups.

"It has supplemented the budget allocations for these assets from the general fund over the past 10 years, with a focus on rehabilitation of infrastructure."

Ms Barnes said some examples of valuable community projects made possible through this SRV allocation are the Pambula River Mouth amenities building upgrade, the new Dickinson Oval clubhouse at Bermagui, and the Cobargo town centre toilets renewal.

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While a decision has yet to be made on whether to progress the proposed pools SRV, if it was to become a reality, Ms Barnes said the existing "recreation buildings and pools" allocation in the 2008/09 SRV would be directed to recreation buildings exclusively.

There have also been questions raised about what happens to the allocation of council's general fund that is currently directed to the operation and minor asset renewal of the shire's six public pools.

Ms Barnes said $1.382million a year is currently allocated to the pools from the general fund, "but that is not enough to meet the six-pool goal in the long term, nor to fund expected renewals" she added.

"The average net operating costs, after income is deducted, for the six pools is $1.164million per year.

"We currently also account for 'minor assets' that need renewing several times in a 60-year facility life to keep the pools operating - pumps, pool covers, and equipment are examples of these - which cost an average of $218,000 per year.

"The current budget allocation does not account for the future major facility renewals."

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Ms Barnes said the proposed SRV would essentially wrap up all necessary budget needs for pools into a one-stop-covers-all fund for the operation, maintenance and upgrades required into the future.

She also said that should the proposed SRV for pools become a reality from 2020/21, it would be "ringfenced" and only used for the provision of swimming pools, "thus ensuring their future sustainability".

"In this case, council would not anticipate using other funds from its yearly operating budget for pools, with the current budget allocation for the pools being redirected to other critical, core assets such as roads, bridges and buildings," Ms Barnes said.

"The specific details would be clearly indicated in the draft budget and operational plan for the 2020/21 financial year, which would be placed on public exhibition prior to adoption and final consideration of an SRV application in February 2020.

"It is important to note that Council is yet to consider if it progresses with an application for the currently proposed SRV for pools, with all the community feedback received throughout the current exhibition period to inform a report to the November 20 council meeting."

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Ms Barnes encouraged anyone yet to provide their feedback to do so before midnight this Sunday, October 20, by visiting www.begavalley.nsw.gov.au/haveyoursay.

To read more on the BVSC pool strategy, click here

Following the Otium review of the Shire's pools and the adopted six-pool goal of Council, it is now time to ensure the viability of these important community assets for future generations and that is why the Pools Strategy Discussion Paper, which includes consideration of a pools-specific SRV, has been prepared and publicly exhibited.

We all know pools are expensive assets to operate, maintain and renew and we want them to continue to be safe and modern community hubs.