Hauraki District Council has approved funding to replace an ageing gas chlorinator at Waihī Swimming Pool, securing the facility’s continued operation while addressing an immediate health and safety risk.

The council has agreed to replace the existing system with a salt chlorinator, which uses mildly salted water and electricity to generate chlorine and disinfect pool water.

In a media release, Mayor Toby Adams said councillors carefully weighed the benefits of retaining the community facility against the cost to ratepayers.

“The Waihī Swimming Pool has served the community for around 70 years, and it continues to support public swimming, learn-to-swim programmes, school swimming education, club activities and summer recreation,” Adams said.

“We know how important local access to swimming is for wellbeing, confidence in the water and community connection. This decision means Waihī can continue to have access to a local pool while longer-term planning for the facility is worked through.”

Council staff advised the current gas chlorinator poses a health and safety concern and requires replacement to keep the pool operating.

The approved upgrade will increase council debt by $100,000 and is expected to result in a 0.03% increase in non-water rates, equivalent to about $1 per district ratepayer.

While the investment will keep the pool operating in the short term, council acknowledged it does not address broader questions around the ownership and long-term renewal requirements of the facility.

Those issues will be considered through future planning processes, with the council continuing to assess aquatic services across the district. Factors under consideration include affordability, asset ownership, community demand and the best ways to support water safety and recreation.

The Waihī Swimming Pool remains a key community asset, providing opportunities for swimming, education and recreation for residents throughout the year.