The YMCA, which runs the Mortlake and Macarthur pools, implemented a review of its safety standards and quality of service and will introduce a policy that requires two staff members being on duty at all times at YMCA-staffed pools.

The change will cause an increased cost of $17,000 in Moyne Shire’s 2016-2017 budget.

At Moyne Shire’s meeting this week, councillors voted to talk to the Mortlake and Macarthur communities in an attempt to find a solution to the budget over-run.

Moyne Shire's director of physical services Trev Greenberger said ways of limiting the impact to the budget could include changing the hours or weeks of operation of the pools, or finding volunteer lifeguards.

Mr Greenberger’s report to council detailed possible shortened pool seasons, which would see both pools open in early December instead of early November.

The report also details a suggested reduction in opening hours, which would see six hours cut from Mortlake per week and four hours per week from Macarthur.

The suggested reduction takes into account patronage levels.

Such reductions would see both pools operate within their allocated budgets of $56,881 (Mortlake) and $49,652 (Macarthur).

Mr Greenberger’s report also said “YMCA has commenced a campaign to attract and train volunteers” who could be used “to fill as many hours as possible to assist the economical running of the pools while delivering high safety standards”.

However, it noted the risk that “if the volunteer does not attend, the pool will not open”.

Community consultation sessions are proposed for September 7 at the Mortlake shire offices and September 6 at the Macarthur Senior Citizens Centre.

Cr Jill Parker said it was important to talk to the communities to see how they felt about reduced opening hours or the possibility of volunteer lifeguards.

“These changes affect our budget,” Cr Parker said.

“The pools are important to young people (but) it’s important communities are aware of what is involved in running the pool.”

Cr Kelvin Goodall said the key was finding a way “to ensure the pools were open for as many hours as possible”.