Heathcote Swimming Pool

The City of Greater Bendigo would like to provide this further update to the Heathcote community about the status of the Heathcote Swimming Pool.

The last update was provided on November 26.

Unfortunately, the pool remains closed for public safety reasons. This is due to an ongoing electrical issue causing patrons to receive mild electric shocks. Despite our best efforts, we have not yet been able to fix the issue.

We appreciate the pool being closed is both disappointing and inconvenient and thank you for your patience whilst we continue to try and fix the issue. Our aim is to open the pool for the 2025/26 summer season as soon as possible however public safety remains our highest priority.

What has been done since November 26:

• A consultant electrical inspector and a specialist electrical contractor have visited the pool and suggested some ‘next steps’

What we are currently doing:

• We are working closely with Powercor about the suggested options. We are very grateful for Powercor’s support
• We do not have a timeframe for any further works yet and will provide another community update when more information is available

Community options

From Monday December 8, the following supports to access another pool will be available to Heathcote residents:

• A free 2025/26 Heathcote Pool Summer Season Pass which will provide reciprocal (free) entry to any outdoor pool in Greater Bendigo, plus the pool at Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre in Kangaroo Flat. The pass will also provide free entry to Heathcote Swimming Pool when it is open again.
• Free bus passes for use between Heathcote and the Bendigo Station upon presenting your 2025/26 summer season pass, using the public bus services advertised by Transport Victoria. This bus route enables you to get off only a short walk to:
  - Brennan Park Swimming Pool in Houlahan Street, Kennington
  - Faith Leech Aquatic Centre in Barnard Street, Bendigo 

Just let the bus driver know where you want to go and they will be able to help.

Both types of passes can be picked up from the Heathcote Swimming Pool at the following times:

• December (school term)
  Monday to Sunday: 2pm-7pm
• December and January (school holidays)
  Monday to Sunday and Public Holidays: 12pm-7pm

They can also both be picked up from the Heathcote Visitor Information Centre between 9am and 4.30pm, 7 days (excluding Christmas and Boxing Day).

Please note that you will need to show some form of proof that you live in Heathcote or surrounds to access these passes.

More information

If you have any questions, please contact the City of Greater Bendigo on 1300 002 642.

We understand the importance of the pool to the community and are working as quickly as we can to fix the issue. We thank the community for its patience.

The City of Greater Bendigo would like to update the Heathcote community about the status of the Heathcote Swimming Pool.

Unfortunately, the pool remains closed for public safety reasons. This is due to an electrical issue identified earlier in the year when pool patrons reported experiencing mild electric shocks. Despite our best efforts, we have not yet been able to fix the issue.

Public safety remains our highest priority. Our aim is to open the pool for the 2025/26 summer season as soon as possible.

What we have done so far:

• Worked with aquatic facility and electrical specialists who have undertaken extensive onsite investigations
• Replaced all earthing stakes and installed several new, deeper ones
• Tested and re-tested all plant and equipment for electrical safety
• Worked with Powercor and Coliban Water on testing of their nearby infrastructure to inform our rectification works
• Installed electrical data logging equipment at the site to enable monitoring for any patterns

What we are currently doing:

• The latest testing processes have suggested more site earthing works may be needed. An electrical inspector is providing advice about this
• We are exploring options to support the Heathcote community whilst the pool is closed
• A further community update will be provided next week

We thank the Heathcote community for its patience and understanding during this time.

We understand the pool is a valued community asset and would like to reassure community members we are doing everything we can to rectify the issue and re-open the pool as soon as it is safe to do so.

The pool was closed for these reasons:

• On January 11, 2025, a pool patron reported feeling what they thought was an electric shock when they touched a metal fixture whilst in the pool. Staff closed the facility for public safety reasons. An electrician attended the site to investigate the issue. The electrician was not able to identify any electrical faults. The facility reopened the following day
• On February 12, 2025, several pool patrons reported feeling electric shocks, this time in both the main and toddler pools. Staff closed the facility for public safety reasons. An electrician attended the site again to investigate the issue but was still not able to identify any electrical faults
• The facility has not reopened since the electric shock reports of February 12, 2025. This is because the source of the electric shocks has not been identified and therefore public safety cannot yet be assured
• The pool was scheduled to close for the 2024/25 season on March 16, 2025, so it closed approximately one month earlier than scheduled
• The community was notified of the closures through:
  Signage at the facility
  City of Greater Bendigo notifications to media outlets
  Posts on City and Belgravia Leisure social media sites
  Emails/calls to schools with bookings
  Emails/calls to parents or carers with swim school bookings

Some of the things we have already done throughout 2025 to try and fix the issue include:

• Had several specialist aquatic facility and electrical contractors and a consultant electrical inspector attend the facility to carry out investigations
• Had all electrical items within the pool grounds tested for electrical safety, multiple times. They have all passed testing
• Installed an additional safety switch in the pool chemical/plant area
• Replaced the existing earthing stakes and installed some additional, deeper ones
• Worked with Coliban Water and Powercor on testing of their nearby infrastructure
• Tested the nearby community pavilion, Visitor Information Centre, public toilets and electric vehicle chargers for possible electrical/earthing faults. They have all passed testing
• Replaced the previous aged pool circulation pump with a new one (this was scheduled for replacement soon anyway)
• Installed electrical data logging equipment in the pool to try and capture any electrical activity patterns

• 25m pool
• Toddlers’ pool
• Shade
• Kiosk

• Swimming lessons
• Aqua classes

VICSWIM operates at Heathcote Swimming Pool during January.

Parking is available on the street or in Barrack Reserve.