Dear Beagle Editor,
Unfortunately, a lack of confidence and trust in Eurobodalla Council continues over their continued misleading of the community and publicly unsupported decision to replace our 50m pool in Batemans Bay with a 25m pool in the Mackay Park aquatic/arts centre. The Mayor, General Manager and Directors continue to insist that all comparative costings for the Mackay Park aquatic/art have been made public. Yet there is no evidence that comparative costings between the existing 50m pool and a new 25m pool; the existing 50m pool and a new 50m pool; a new 25m pool and a refurbished or new 50m pool have been made public.
Moreover, in deciding to replace the 50m pool with a 25m pool, Council failed their own Community Engagement Framework (CEF) - ‘the removal of a shire wide service/provision of a regional facility the Level of impact is 4: MODERATE – HIGH and requires collaboration - ‘To partner with the public in each aspect of the decision including the development of alternatives and the identification of the preferred solution.
Again, Council did not collaborate or partner with the Batemans Bay pool stakeholders in each aspect of the decisions or development of alternatives and identify any preferred solution to the demolition of our 50m pool. Yes, this is old news but as relevant today as it was when the plans to replace the 50m pool with a 25m pool were unveiled to pool stakeholders in August last year. At stake is an inclusive aquatic centre that promotes physical and emotional health and social cohesion and is open for anyone who wants to use it for 12 months of the year. Also at stake is the future of swimming in Batemans Bay.
Maureen Searson
Fight for Batemans Bays 50m Pool
