Council Drowning in Pool Controversy

Thank you to the 120 citizens who made the effort to attend the recent public meeting "Our Town Our Say”.

Without doubt, community concern is growing over the likelihood that our 50m pool, gifted to Batemans Bay by the famous Street family, is to be bulldozed.

Attendees, on the whole, passed five resolutions, making it crystal clear that Council’s decisions on 29 August 2017, and since, regarding the proposed Mackay Park Precinct Redevelopment, are unacceptable and must be reviewed.

Our MC, John Mobbs, had posted these resolutions to council yet this matter was not placed on the agenda at Council’s formal meeting on 27/2. Consequently , these resolutions were tabled during Public Access.

John relayed community concern from Our Town Our Say’s meeting and reminded councillors that the inclusion of a 50m pool is on the minds of many in the community and that Council's secrecy is generating further suspicions and mistrust.

Credit to Clr Mayne for attempting to revisit the Sunset Committee vacancy specifically, that someone from the swimming community should fill the position. The Mayor's overruling and closing down Councillor Mayne when he reminded Council that they had clearly stated in December that the position would be filled "AT ANOTHER TIME" was very obviously aimed at stifling further debate. Councillor Mayne showed courage in advising the Mayor and the other councillors that "NOW WAS ANOTHER TIME" yet gained no support.

In bringing forward a report and concept plans for the centre, Council totally ignored the option of refurbishing the existing pool. Instead, Council promoted a 25m pool in its place.

Additional construction costs of a 50m pool in the proposed new complex, was estimated at $6.5 million by Council’s preferred consultant, Otium - a figure that drew disbelief from professional Aquatic complex construction companies.

We believe that unless Council produces expert written evidence that the retention of the current 50m pool is not viable, then the option for a 50m pool in the planned redevelopment must be included in Council's Request For Tender documents.

OUR TOWN OUR SAY

#Opinion