CITY of Newcastle is poised to axe its popular $2 pool entry trial after just one season, despite the initiative driving a huge spike in swimmers across four centres.
A report to councillors for Tuesday's meeting recommends ditching $2 entry at Beresfield, Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend for the 2025/26 season, arguing the scheme is financially unsustainable and unfairly subsidises visitors from outside Newcastle.
Council staff warned continuing the scheme next season would require at least another $542,000 in subsidies and slash City of Newcastle's forecast operating surplus for 2026/27 by 40 per cent.
"During the 2025/26 swimming season, the $2 casual entry trial at the four pools resulted in approximately $534,000 in additional cost to CN," the report said.
While conceding access to pools delivers social, public health and water safety benefits, the council report said the trial saw Newcastle ratepayers provide a $264,710 subsidy to more than 150,000 pool users who live outside the city.
"That is, 50 per cent of the total cost of the $2 trial ($534,398.82) was to the benefit of people who don't reside in the Newcastle LGA or contribute to the operational cost of the five inland pools via the payment of rates," the report said.
"There is no evidence that visitors to pools within the Newcastle LGA generate local economic activity during their visit, so social benefit is limited to the individual's physical activity and resulting health gains."
The trial had overwhelming community support, with 95 per cent of respondents backing the initiative before it was introduced.
City of Newcastle estimates including Lambton pool in $2 entry would increase the cost across all five pools to $1.75 million in 2026/27.
Making $2 pool entry permanent and expanding cheaper access to Lambton pool was a cornerstone of Labor councillor Declan Clausen's lord mayoral election campaign.
A council report in February last year examined whether entry fees could be waived entirely at the five inland pools operated by BlueFit.
The move came after former independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge asked council chief executive Jeremy Bath to look at aligning the city's pools with free admission to the ocean baths.
Instead, Labor councillors successfully amended the motion to investigate a $2 entry fee. Dr Kerridge voted against the amendment, arguing pools should be free.
Analysis included in the report found 58 per cent of users across the four trial pools lived outside Newcastle, including 74 per cent of Beresfield patrons and 72 per cent at Stockton.
The report also raised concerns about ageing infrastructure, escalating maintenance and utility costs, crowd management and long-term financial sustainability.
The widely-spruiked trial introduced this summer saw average attendance at the four pools jump 46 per cent compared to the previous year, with more than 259,000 visits.
Visitor numbers at Wallsend and Beresfield surged by more than 52 per cent.
Under the staff recommendation, Beresfield Pool would keep a discounted entry price capped at $3.30 for adults, up 10 cents from this season, and $11.50, an increase of 50 cents, for a family of four, which the council argues is almost 50 per cent cheaper than any other pool in the Hunter or Central Coast.
Prices for 2026/27 entry have not yet been announced but before the trial it was $5.80 for casual adult entry at Wallsend, Mayfield and Stockton and $20.40 for a family visit.
Council staff also floated other options, including restricting the $2 entry fee to Newcastle residents experiencing financial hardship or concession card holders.
That model is estimated to cost about $21,000 each year, while expanding it to pensioners and seniors would cost about $36,000.
Free pool entry on Australia Day afternoon is recommended to continue next season after attracting more than 2100 visitors from 1pm to closing time across Newcastle's inland pools.
Newcastle councillors will make a decision on the trial at Tuesday's meeting.
