Appeal for community support as Ocean Pool plans reach critical stage

PORT Macquarie’s Ocean Pool Committee is rallying the support of the Hastings community as the project reaches a critical stage.

Construction of the pool on Oxley Beach was funded by the Federal Government six years ago.

Since then, its proponents have been lobbying Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (PMHC) to take on responsibility for its ongoing operating and maintenance costs.

In June, the Committee lodged a submission for it to be included in Council’s Recreation and Open Space Plan (ROSAP), but in August Councillors voted for the draft of that plan to go on public display – minus the pool.

The Committee is now hoping community support through a letter-writing campaign will see it added to the ROSAP after the exhibition period.

“While the project has made significant progress, we only get one shot at this,” committee spokesperson Paul Adams told News Of The Area.

“We need everyone to show the Council that the community wants this pool.”

Mr Adams said a recent survey, conducted by the group, showed 90 percent of the community want the pool.

He also noted that extensive reporting had been completed, including a geotechnical analysis and reports related to ecology, traffic and parking, construction, maintenance, and cost-benefits.

“After all the work the committee has done, we are now in a position to submit our documentation for Council approvals.

“We would like the Council to work with us and listen to the community’s wishes.”

Mr Adams said the 65 people who attended the committee’s update session last Saturday, felt the Council should be supportive of the project for several reasons. These are:

– It meets the community’s need for a safe, protected and easily accessible pool

– Feasibility and construction funding is not required

– The cost-benefit analysis found there would be a 7:1 economic return on Council’s investment in maintenance

– It would become a major tourist attraction

– There are major health and wellness benefits for the community

“Now is the time to have your say before Council finalises the ROSAP,” Mr Adams said.

PMHC has maintained a consistent position of non-involvement in the development, or its funding or delivery.

In a factsheet on its website, it notes that the strategic priority for aquatic infrastructure investment remains with the redevelopment of the Port Macquarie Pool or Aquatic Centre which has long been considered a community need.

Councillor Nik Lipovac also believes many in the community are opposed to the ocean pool.

“Over the past few years, I’ve personally noticed there appears to be just as many people in favour as there are against the development of this project,” he said.

The question commonly asked is “why is it taking so long?”.

This is because the project is complex.

The committee for the Port Macquarie Ocean Pool was formed in 2015.

In 2018, a petition bearing 18,000 signatures was presented to the Federal Government, with a grant of $4.5m approved the following year.

Former Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams secured a further $50,000 for the project.

Since then, the committee has been working on planning and feasibility studies.

This has been a huge task as no ocean pool has been constructed since the 1960s.

Four beaches were shortlisted; Town Beach (North and South), Oxley Beach, Shelly Beach and Lighthouse Beach. Oxley Beach emerged as the best candidate.

Then the “real” work began with proposed designs, environmental impact studies and consultation with Government agencies and other professional bodies.

Time was also needed to understand the complexities involved in complying with the Native Title Act 1993.

After extensive discussions, the project received conditional support from Birpai Traditional Owners.

In September 2024, the Committee was advised that the pool would need to be included in the 2025 ROSAP update if it was ever to be considered an official Council project.

In February 2025, the Ocean Pool Committee was invited by PMHC Director Melissa Watkins to make a submission, which was formally lodged with Council, and sent to all Councillors, on 26 June.

The committee said it did not receive feedback and when the draft ROSAP was provided to Council on 21 August, no reference was made to the Ocean Pool submission.

Mr Adams is urging the community to ask that it be added to the ROSAP by going to Council’s Have Your Say page at https://haveyoursay.pmhc.nsw.gov.au

Anyone wanting to know more about the project can look for the fact-sheets on Council’s website or go to info@portmacquarieoceanpool.org.au.

By Bill HARROW and Sue STEPHENSON