00:02Every summer the Wilcannia public pool provides an essential community service.
00:07It's very, very important, not just for the social aspects but also just managing the heat.
00:13But this year a new automated card system will be the only way to access Wilcannia and three other swimming
00:21pools in the far west of New South Wales.
00:23And instead of lifeguards, remote controlled cameras will keep an eye on swimmers.
00:28We have trouble securing qualified pool staff.
00:32We find this solution by offering a managed unsupervised facility meets the needs of the community.
00:39That's raised concerns among local residents.
00:42If there's no lifeguard and no one there that knows CPR, what chances have a child got, or an adult,
00:50if they do drown in the swimming pool?
00:54We are available by calling the council or by calling AAA, you will get some straight away.
00:59Across the border in South Australia, the Karoondah pool is facing closure as the local council struggles to recruit lifeguards.
01:07This year we're continuing to be challenged by low numbers of applicants, which is causing us a bit of concern
01:14at the moment.
01:15But experts say even without lifeguards, public pools are the safest place to swim.
01:20We are seeing increased numbers in our rivers and in our coastal areas, in our open waterways, where drownings are
01:26at an all-time high.
01:28The new access card system being trialled in Wilcannia and here in Menindee this summer offers an alternative to closures.
01:35It will be up to these communities to decide whether that's the safest option.
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