How new fees at the Hamilton aquatic centre will impact local sport clubs

A new cost model will focus on the space and time the facility is in use.

Zara Cuthbertson
March 17, 2026

Southern Grampians councillors have voted to overhaul the way sporting clubs are charged to use the Hamilton Indoor Leisure and Aquatic Centre, introducing a new fee model aimed at making the facility more “financially sustainable” while still being heavily subsidised by ratepayers.

What happened? Councillors voted 4-1 at last Tuesday's meeting to introduce a new fee structure over the next three years. It will also explore ways to bring in more activities and new user groups, and start charging an hourly staff fee for events outside normal opening hours.

The four main user groups impacted are the Hamilton Basketball Association, Olympic swimming club, squash club and table tennis club.

Together, the four user groups occupy about 69 percent of available space at the centre and more than half of operating hours, but collectively contribute just 7.5 percent of the centre’s total income.

Why does it matter? The change means clubs will now pay fees based on the time they use the centre and the actual space they take up, covering costs such as lighting, cleaning and maintenance specific to their activity areas. The council will absorb broader costs like building management and maintenance.

The change will deliver roughly a 13.5 percent increase in current fees for groups.

Councillors also flagged that, once this agreement expires in 2029, clubs may be asked to contribute an extra 25 percent of the centre’s broader operating costs, subject to further consultation.

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What’s the current situation? Council officers told the meeting the leisure centre costs about $1.3 million a year to operate.

Director Rory Neeson said the new model would still leave the vast majority of costs covered by ratepayers.

Short-term pain? Councillor Afton Barber, who moved the motion, said the change was necessary to protect the long-term viability of the facility.

“You don't want to not go that direction and then the facility starts to fail,” he said.

Councillor Jayne Manning opposed the move, questioning whether volunteer-run clubs should shoulder additional expenses.

“Personally, I don't think it's unreasonable to add this $23,000 a year to the list of subsidies we already provide,” said Manning.

Council also endorsed exploring new activities and groups to boost participation and revenue at the centre.