There were long queues to enter the Campbelltown Billabong on the weekend, evidence of the popularity of the newest aquatic facility in the area – especially during hotter days.
Many of those people queuing up would have been unaware that just a few days earlier Campbelltown Council adopted a proposal to introduce an entry fee next season.
From October 1, 2025, adults will pay $8.10 each, children $5.40 each, and a family of two adults and two children $22.80 to enter the facility at Bradbury.
A family of one adult and three children will also pay $22.80.
The proposal was included in the business paper of last week’s council meeting, the final one for the year.
There was no debate, and the recommendation was approved with a show of hands when Mayor Darcy Lound put it to a vote.
Plans to charge an entry fee were foreshadowed last year as completion of the Billabong was approaching.
Campbelltown Billabong Parklands was officially opened to the community on June 8 this year, by the then mayor, George Greiss.
Since its opening the venue has welcomed more than 60,000 people.
The report to council said this was made up of families (45 percent), 20 percent adults, 15 per cent children, and 20 per cent concession/seniors.
This is expected to grow to more than 120,000 visit next year.
“Attendance throughout the operational hours of the venue is steady mid-week with increased volumes occurring during warmer weather, weekends and during school holiday periods,’’ the report said.
“Positive feedback has been received since the opening.
“The main theme for improvement has been the need for the introduction of an improved food and beverage option.’’
In August, Council approved plans for a café in 2025 to improve the overall community experience inside the Billabong.
Annual operating cost of the facility is forecast to be around $2.8 million, and council will seek to recoup around 68 percent of that by charging entry fees from next year.
“Campbelltown Billabong Parklands is becoming a much-loved community recreational space to swim, play and relax,’’ the council report said.
“The parklands design experiences bring the Dharawal National Park and Georges River with Aboriginal culture representation through public art, into the heart of the Campbelltown CBD.
“As the demand for the park service’s increases, so will the need for a sustainable funding mechanism to maintain, operate and enhance the park’s facilities and programs.
“This report recommends implementing an entry charging method for the Billabong Parklands Aquatic Centre, emphasising the importance of balancing revenue generation with accessibility, financial sustainability and community experience.
“The use of the parklands all year round by the community is vital, and to ensure visitation during the colder months it is proposed that the entry charges are only applied to the period where the main water body is open.
“This period is also where the cost of operation and maintenance upkeep is at its peak.’’
Should be free for campbelltown residents as we already pay for it. 50% charge for Camden/wollondilly because we are good, and 110% for out of area.
They should pay to use it because they didn’t outlay the initial cost.
Absolutely agree. Campbelltown residents already paid there fair share for the billabong resident should not be charged a thing it’s ridiculous
I hope that seniors and concession card holders get a discounted price. How do they work out the prices for larger families, 2 adults and 4-5 children??
I would like to see a board near the entrance after the turnstiles, that will have a map showing where things are, like amenities block and other areas. Also to make sure that all the umbrellas are operational and not out of order. There was one umbrella near the pool area that wasn’t opened due to a muddy area from recent rain I’m assuming or overflow from pool.
People who haven’t been before are at a bit of a loss as to where things are, hence my suggestion of the board map to show where things are.