DEAR News of the Area,
THE ‘Council Pool’ has iconic status in most Australian communities, offering opportunities for exercise, training, relaxation and fun.
Most importantly for our children, it provides swimming lessons vital for skills and safety.
The local pool is an intrinsic part of a town’s healthy, sporting life.
But, our pool is no longer fit for purpose.
Port Macquarie Hastings Council recognises that our area is undergoing ‘unprecedented growth’ and has forecast that population will reach more than 100,000 by 2030.
This lends urgency to the completion of the Port Macquarie Aquatic Facility.
Originally, Council’s own documents projected construction to begin by 2026, with the new pool opening in 2027.
Council’s application for $13.6 million in Federal funding (under the Growing Regions Round 2 Fund) was unsuccessful in 2025.
Understandably, the funding was contingent upon Council being able to match the requested amount, dollar-for-dollar. This, it could not do.
So, as building costs increase, progress on the Aquatic Facility is stalled.
Meanwhile, urban development in the area continues relentlessly, and council continues to receive developer contributions and rates income.
Regards,
Maureen Geary,
Port Macquarie.
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