The raising of aquatic centre entry fees was unpopular with over half of submitters to Whakatāne District Council’s fees and charges schedule.

The council is proposing raising the entry fees to keep up with rising operating costs and to align with comparable facilities across New Zealand.

The price for students over the age of 15 and SuperGold Card holders would increase from $3.50 to $5. The charge for people wishing to use only the showers would increase from $2 to $5.

All other fees and charges would see minor increases in line with inflation including charges for children and Community Service Card holders which would increase from $3.50 to $3.60.

A new 30 cent energy surcharge would be introduced on top of all admission fees to help offset rising energy costs.

Of the 51 submissions received, presented to councillors at a meeting on Wednesday, 28 were opposed to the increases, 14 agreed with them and nine were unsure.

Submitters against the increase were concerned about reduced participation by people on fixed incomes in activities that promote heath, social connection and water safety.

Some submitters questioned whether recent solar panel investments had been factored into energy-related costs and why these should be incorporated into existing admission fees rather than shown as a separate surcharge.

Councillor Lesley Immink asked staff why the engergy surcharge was being introduced when the council was saving energy costs through the installation of solar panels.

“We are selling the sizzle of our solar energy saving money at the pools ... but are we not saving money overall.”

She was told the solar panels covered about 18 percent of the power for the aquatic centre and the council saved only a portion of that because it did not own the solar panels.

“Right now we are helping the environment but what savings they provide us is limited,” a staff member said.

Councillor Toni Boynton sought clarification that the increase in fees for those wishing to use only the shower facilities would apply to the “many working homeless who by necessity utilised the facilities for showering before going off to mahi”.

Staff responded that it had become a matter of contention with the public due to limited shower facilities.

Many people had been telling staff it was cheaper to shower at the aquatic centre than in their own homes.

The majority of elected members indicated they were in favour of the increases.