Children Protest Council’s Pool Policy

LOCAL children have rallied to oppose a new policy at the Upper Hunter Shire swimming pools to restrict access to children 15 years and older without an accompanying parent.

Brook McInerny, a parent of children affected established a petition to present at tonight’s Council meeting to ensure the communities voices are heard.

Children gathered outside the pool on Friday to support the petition to overturn Council’s new pool policy.

“The petition is going well and there are people can sign up until about 4:30 this afternoon when we collect the petitions,” said Ms McInerny.

“I am even happy to have people call me and I will drop a petition to them to sign, there are many people who don’t have a licence and find it hard, so we are happy to go to them,” she said.

“The kids are involved too, I’ve had kids contact me to ask for the petition and children are signing the petition too, because it affects them most.

“Out town needs this, the kids do feel safe at the pool in a fenced, regulated environment with lifeguards and they are more safety aware than my generation or the generations before, they are taught in schools, taught by the parents who are more aware and there are programs now like Day for Daniel.

“It is great to see the kids in town voice their concerns about a decision that impacts them,” Brook McInerny said.

The petition is available at Pat Gleeson Real Estate, Scone Sports Store and the Satur Shop and Brook can be contacted to deliver petitions to individuals: 0488 216 126.

At tonight’s Council meeting the matter will be voted on and several people from the local community have registered to speak on the issue: Registration form.

If you want to speak at the Council, you must be registered before midday today.

Related stories:

• Make Your Voice Count with the Pool – October 24, 2018.
• Pool Rules Changed – Kicked Out – October 22, 2018.
• Editorial: Parents Know Best Not Council – October 22, 2018.
• Water Getting Deeper for Council – October 23, 2018.