Wānaka swim coaches have raised concerns that council price hikes for the local pool may make swimming lessons unaffordable.

Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) draft annual plan proposes an increase of 73.9 percent for commercial user groups’ hire costs at the Wānaka Pool.

Peak Endurance swim coach Merryn Johnston says the increase “is hugely disproportionate” to other increases to QLDC services and fees and would mean an annual increase of over $4,000 for the small business.

“I’m concerned that the services I provide to the Wānaka swimming community will become too expensive for many to afford and could ultimately become an unsustainable business model,” Merryn said.

The increase would also affect the Wānaka Swim Academy and Fitter. 

Peak Endurance has made a submission opposing the price hikes, which notes that the hire cost increase is more than double the increase of any other service or fee (most of which are around five to 30 percent) and calls it “unjustifiable and unfair”. 

New Zealand has an ongoing problem with adult drownings and swimming tuition needs to be accessible, the submission said.

“Forcing a price increase ultimately forces many adults to avoid learning to swim or improving their swimming.”

The business added that QLDC is “triple dipping into the pockets of Wānaka rate paying swimmers” by charging rates for pool upkeep, requiring locals to pay pool membership/entry, and charging businesses to book lane space to run sessions.

The draft annual plan also proposes price increases for a range of other council services like building consents and animal registration. 

QLDC mayor Glyn Lewers said some of the factors behind the proposed increase were rising interest rates, high levels of inflation, staff shortages linked with accommodation challenges, and supply issues.

Read more: QLDC proposes double digits rates increase

Submissions on the draft annual plan close on Wednesday April 26.

PHOTO: Supplied