Why do we need this campaign?

Until the council plans were revealed, we understood that the funds were being sought primarily to refurbish the Williamstown S&LSC existing outdoor pool and change rooms as an accessible, affordable community asset. Once the plans were revealed we realised that this was not the case.

What are the plans?

The plans propose to:

• remove the outdoor swimming pool

• remove the lawn at the front of the Club

• relocate the current seafront Kiosk with its seating to a roadside position without any seating

• relocate the current roadside public toilets and showers to a seafront position

What is so important about the pool, lawn and kiosk on the foreshore at Williamstown?

Our pool sits alongside the Member’s Lawn and Kiosk and these three spaces are central to the life of the Williamstown S&LSC. These landmarks are community gathering space and are sewn into the fabric of childhood and summer for generations of local residents.

Historically the pool was built to support swimming lessons and training and today the swimming pool is used by the broader community - schools for swimming lessons, training for state and national competitions, and swimming carnivals, and the Melbourne Water police to teach scuba diving. The pool also offers opportunities for vulnerable, or less able members of the community to enjoy the water in the outdoors throughout the summer. Our Starfish Nippers program runs along side our Nippers program each year - the primary pathway for the next generation of lifesavers.

The Member’s Lawn provides the perfect space for parent’s to lounge with picnics and keep a watchful eye on their children as well as those in the water. Did you know? - Patrols have been alerted to several rescues thanks to the keen eyes on that lawn!

And no one who lived within 5kms of the Kiosk throughout 2020 will forget the tiny dose of normality the kiosk offered us all. Today it is a bustling hub with beachfront views that attracts visitors from across the city and further afield as well as being the perfect landmark on busy beach days.

Please help us maintain and save this historical community safety asset for generations to come.

Find out how you can Take Action

Who are we?

We are a group of local Hobsons Bay Community members, residents and concerned club members campaigning to save the Williamstown Swimming & Life Saving Club (Williamstown S&LSC) Pool, Members Lawn and Kiosk.

We are all volunteers. We are always looking for people to join us in campaigning, supporting our cause or offer their skills, knowledge and expertise in many different areas including, but not limited to: Architecture, Heritage, Town Planning, Printing, Communications, Website Management, Media, Public Relations and many more. Please get in contact with us, we would love to hear from you!