Re: Announcement to reduce fees at the Melbourne City Baths
Sent 13 August 2024
Dear Councillor Reece,
As a past Councillor and a current Lord Mayoral candidate, I wish to express my concerns regarding your recent announcement to reduce entry fees, memberships and swimming lessons at the Melbourne City Baths. While I commend the intent behind these initiatives, I must question the practicality and financial viability of such promises.
As you are aware, the current budget for the City of Melbourne leaves a surplus of just $101,000. Given this limited surplus, I am concerned about how you propose to fund these new initiatives without plunging the Council into a deficit. These measures will require significant financial resources, especially considering the potential need for contract renegotiations with the YMCA, who operate the Melbourne City Baths under the current arrangements. Such renegotiations could bring about unforeseen financial consequences that have not been adequately modelled or publicly discussed.
I also note that in June of 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 you voted to increase the casual entry fees for the Melbourne City Baths. Now, not even 50 days after your most recent vote to raise these fees, you have promised to reduce them by over 75%. How do you reconcile this abrupt change in policy, and how can residents and business owners in the City of Melbourne, like myself, take this promise seriously when it so clearly contradicts your voting history?
It is particularly concerning that these promises are being made now, in the lead up to the election, rather than being acted upon over the past six years of your administration. If these measures are truly as necessary and beneficial as you now claim, why has it taken until an election period to bring them forward? The timing of these announcements raises questions about the genuine commitment to these initiatives and the overall financial management under your leadership.
As a Kensington resident and a local business owner for over 20 years, I am acutely aware of the cost-of-living pressure affecting many in our city. While we all seek relief from these burdens, it is essential that any proposed solutions are fully funded and responsibly managed to avoid exacerbating the problem in the long term.
I would be grateful if a copy of this letter is forwarded to all Councillors and the City of Melbourne Chief Executive Officer for information and please contact me should you wish to discuss this correspondence.
Yours sincerely,
Arron Wood
Candidate for Lord Mayor of Melbourne
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