Wollongong's swimming pools will be open again from 6am on Saturday after the city council finished its planning to comply with public health orders.
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Swimming will be by booking only, with a 45-minute slot allowed for groups no larger than three.
Public health rules will apply, including masks.
Lifeguards will be back on duty at all eight of Wollongong's outdoor pools, including the Continental, Thirroul and Port Kembla salwater pools.
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"It's a positive step and it feels like we're a little closer to the 'normal' life many of us are craving," Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said.
"However, I want to be clear, it's our expectation that everyone who visits the pools will follow the Public Health Order by wearing a mask as they're entering and moving about the pool grounds, checking in using the QR code and, once they've enjoyed a swim, leaving the pool deck and not hanging around."
The State Government had said pools could open from Monday but a council spokeswoman said the delay was caused by paperwork and plans required.
"Council has completed all the necessary paperwork and supporting plans for the Department of Health relating to their rigorous requirements, which were only released [last] Friday 24 September despite an earlier public announcement being made," she said.
"While we had been working for some time on plans for the operation of our pools over summer, we required this documentation to finalise our plans and submit them to NSW Health for their approval prior to reopening.
"An enormous amount and depth of work has gone into preparing these ensuring the safety of patrons and staff, as far as is reasonably practical.
"We have consistently monitored changes to the PHO's over time with an eye on reopening.
"Last summer, the community transmission rates were significantly less than what we're currently experiencing and we were dealing with a different variant of the COVID-19 virus.
"We've also taken a risk-based approach in our planning that has taken into account the community transmission rates we're currently experiencing. This means we've stricter caps on the numbers permitted at each pool to allow an additional buffer than the one person per four square metre rule."
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Ben Langford
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on.
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on.
