The Feasibility Study and the Decision Not to Fund the Hydrotherapy Pool
A recent feasibility study into recommissioning Albany’s public hydrotherapy pool found a “justifiable case for investment,” but the state government has decided not to fund the necessary works. This decision has sparked disappointment among local residents, who have long advocated for the pool’s reopening.
Currently, there is no public hydrotherapy pool in the Western Australian town of Albany, located 400 kilometers south of Perth. Despite this, the facility was once used by around 100 people. The pool was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, briefly reopened in early 2023, and then closed again due to infrastructure failures and compliance issues.
Local residents have been pushing for the pool to be reopened and have even requested access to the feasibility study commissioned by the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) through Freedom of Information laws. However, the report was eventually released by Premier Roger Cook after being requested by the ABC.
The study’s recommendations indicated that while refurbishing and recommissioning the pool may not be financially advantageous for WACHS, there are broader social and community benefits. These include strong community advocacy, clear clinical demand, and the significant benefits hydrotherapy offers to people with disabilities, older adults, and other priority groups in the Great Southern Region.
According to the report, if the pool were to reopen, it would immediately operate at 73% capacity. There is strong demand for such a facility, especially considering Albany’s aging population, which is expected to grow over time.
However, Health Minister Meredith Hammat emphasized that while hydrotherapy pools are available in other regional areas, Albany is the only regional hospital with one on-site. She stated that it is not financially viable to reopen the pool.
The feasibility study estimated that $1.9 million would be needed to address the pool’s issues, with an additional $290,000 required each year for its operation.
The Impact of the Closure
Glenys Nottle, a regular user of the pool before its closure, expressed how her condition has worsened since she could no longer use the facility. She suffers from osteoarthritis, and the hydrotherapy pool provided relief by helping her muscles relax and reducing her pain.
“I find the [hydrotherapy] pool is a temperature where it seems to help relax the body and I’m not so tense with pain,” she said. “I’d like to see the pool back again.”
Nottle also highlighted the social aspect of the pool, noting that it provides a chance for people to connect with others facing similar challenges. However, she mentioned that using a private pool at a local physiotherapy practice is not an option because it is too full.
Aging Infrastructure and Compliance Issues
Minister Hammat explained that the Albany pool, built in 1981, has faced significant infrastructure failures and compliance issues. Expert assessments have identified that the pool cannot be recommissioned without substantial capital investment, including replacing essential components and addressing fire safety, occupational health and safety, infection control, and maintenance deficiencies.
She noted that recommendations from the feasibility study have been reviewed, but even with funding, there is no third party willing to operate the facility. Further scenario modelling showed that recommissioning the pool is not financially viable under any third-party operating model, particularly when community-preferred access fees are applied.
Hammat acknowledged that the decision will be disappointing for some members of the community. She added that careful consideration has been given to the feasibility study and the views of all stakeholders.
“The existing space will be repurposed to better support healthcare for Great Southern residents,” she said.
