- Cook Government extends free pool entry program to Kimberley and Pilbara regions
- Further cost-of-living relief to support families eligible for KidSport vouchers
- More than 250 kids have benefited from pool entry program
The Cook Government is making a splash with the successful KidSport Regional Pools Program, now diving into the Pilbara and Kimberley regions.
The pool entry program, initially launched as a pilot in February 2024, has been instrumental in providing children from low-income families access to local pools in regional areas, encouraging physical activity and community engagement.
First introduced as a pilot under the highly-effective KidSport program in February this year, the pools program was rolled out across 15 regional local governments, enabling over 250 eligible children to obtain seasonal passes to their local pools.
Remarkably, more than 46 per cent of these children had not accessed KidSport funding in the past 12 months, highlighting the program's effectiveness in reaching new participants.
This expansion will extend to 13 eligible pools across the Kimberley and Pilbara, coinciding with the September school holidays, and as the regions' temperatures increase. The expansion is expected to benefit many eligible children and young people across the two regions.
The pool program is administered by the participating eligible local government authority, with the support of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC).
Eligibility for the vouchers is aligned with the 'KidSport Voucher Program', which was recently increased in July this year from $300 to $500 per eligible child until 2025 to help ease cost-of-living pressures on Western Australian families.
KidSport is open to eligible children aged 5-18 years old from families who hold a health care or pensioner concession card. If a family does not hold a concession card, they may be eligible to apply for special consideration.
For more information, visit the DLGSC website: https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/funding/sport-and-recreation-funding/kidsport/kidsport-regional-pools-program
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"We know families across WA are feeling the pinch through cost-of-living pressures and that's why my Government is delivering initiatives like these to ease some of the financial burden.
"This is a practical way to get more kids swimming and confident around water, while directly helping families in the regions who need it most."
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
"Pilbara and Kimberley families, we're making a splash! The Cook Government is expanding the KidSport Regional Pools Program to your regions. More kids will now have free access to local pools, just in time for the hot weather.
"This expansion is offering more children the chance to swim for free. This program is all about providing vital cost-of-living relief to low-income families while encouraging kids to dive into a healthy lifestyle.
"Local governments in the Pilbara and Kimberley will be offered the opportunity to participate in the program, with 13 pools eligible."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"It's great this free pool entry program is being made available in the Kimberley region. This measure will help our Kimberley community and I would encourage eligible families to take up this opportunity."
As stated by Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
"I'm glad this initiative is coming to the Pilbara for these coming school holidays. Our communities across the Pilbara will benefit from the cost-of-living initiative, which also gives our kids more opportunities to swim and be active."
