Petition for the amendment of the Bilgola Pool Management Plan

For the last 2 years, November 2015- April 2016 and October 2016 to present we have been running swimming/fitness classes at the Bilgola Rock pool for local children many of whom are current nippers at Surf Life Saving Clubs, training to be our future lifesavers, a huge benefit to the community.

I am a ASCTA Bronze accredited coach and have undertaken numerous courses for swimming skills and first aid.

Originally many of the children were being trained at a local privately run swim school (25mtr pool) which closed down in November of 2015.
As the coach of that swim club, I approached the then Pittwater council to request limited access to the Bilgola Rock Pool so that we could continue training. Upon meeting all the councils criteria required, my request was accepted and a permit granted. Another permit was applied for and granted in October 2016 for the next season (October 2016 - April 2017) and we've been operating well under the council approved permit times (6.30am - 9am).
There is really no other convenient local distance pool to train at, hence our application to the community pool at Bilgola.
We train with lane ropes to protect the children while making the swim more enjoyable and safe for the local swimmers.
Currently our permit allows us to train on:
Wednesdays 6.30am set lane ropes - 7am starts - 7.45 finishes (2 lanes of 8 only)
Thursdays 6.30am set lane ropes - 7am starts - 7.45 finishes (1 lanes of 8 only)
Fridays 6.30am set lane ropes - 7am starts - 7.45 finishes (2 lanes of 8 only)

Note : when the lane ropes are set at 6.30am they are gladly used by the locals as the pool is not marked and there are numerous incidents of accidents where people cross swimming paths. Also many local pool swimmers are happily receiving stroke correction advice and exercises at no charge during this time.

We've had very few complaints compared to the growing support network and there is significant acceptance from the community and the local swimmers at the pool recognising the training of our future lifesavers/surfers in distance swimming.

However, one complainant though has found a clause in the Bilgola Pool Management Plan (BPMP) which states that "a group" is not allowed to begin activities until 7.30am. As the children are school age this time wont work for them (finish 8.15am)

Remember the pool has 8 lanes, at most 2 are in use for a period of 45 min (7am - 7.45am) - that's it.
There is no fee structure, its all by donation and not a prerequisite to attend. Classes can and are cancelled due to bad weather and attendance is a factor of each families busy lives. At the time of this issue council and I were working the pool hiring fee structure.

Of interest, we're advised that Avalon Beach Rock pool management plan start time is 6.30am (15 mtr) and Palm Beach (50mtr but already in use) is 7am

We ask that you sign the following petition to request Northern Beaches Council to amend the BPMP to 6.30am so as to meet the current times of the squads and that are well within the approved current council permit.