“We currently pay $135 and they want to charge us $450. Consequently fees will have to go up,” private learn to swim instructor Keri Short said.

The instructors are being charged extra due to an increase in the State Government’s minimum statutory fee for operating licences on Crown Land.

As the Goulburn Aquatic Centre is located in Victoria Park, a Crown Land Reserve, they have no choice but to pay.

Mrs Short said she doesn’t want to put her prices up but fears she has little option if her business is to remain economically viable.

In the coming year private learn to swim instructors will have to pay out more than $1500 in running costs and Mrs Short said fees could go up by $5 per 30 minute lesson. Multiplied by an average of 40 lessons per year, it starts to add up.

For the full story, please see Wednesday's Goulburn Post, available from our front office in Auburn St, or at all leading newsagencies across the Goulburn area.