A proposal for a $13.5 million ocean pool in Port Macquarie is finally progressing, yet neither the local, state or federal government has committed to fund it.
The background: Community group Port Macquarie Tidal Pool Committee has been advocating for a 50x25m pool at the northern end of Oxley Beach for a decade. It would include a separate wading pool, seating, an amenities block and parking for 15 cars.
In 2019 the group received a $4.5 million federal grant to establish a location and plans for an ocean pool. Oxley Beach was chosen as the preferred site.
A planning proposal submitted by the group to use the site for a pool was approved by council in May and the state in July.
A development application is expected to be submitted to council by the group later this year. If approved, it would go out tender for construction.
Council’s involvement: For eight years Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has stated and then reiterated that an ocean pool is “not a strategic priority” and that it does not want to be involved in construction and maintenance.
But in May, a majority of councillors voted to support the planning proposal, against the recommendation of council staff.
So, who’s funding it?: To fund construction, the organising committee is banking on Nationals MP Pat Conaghan securing the cash from the federal government.
“When the pool completes this statutory planning process and is approved by council, he [Conaghan] will seek funding for the construction of the pool,” committee spokesperson Paul Adams told the Mid North Coaster.
Conaghan’s office confirmed this intention.
No promises: Council isn’t making any promises.
A spokesperson said “no funding from council has been committed to the delivery of the ocean pool, nor any decisions made to fund any aspect of the project in the future”.
The opposition: While the project inches forward, calls remain for the location to be reassessed.
Locals have raised concerns around the site’s conservation zoning, impact to animal life, accessibility, car parking, coastal hazards such as erosion and flooding and the cost to ratepayers.
“We're looking at really significant works occurring within a conservation zone,” said Maya Spannari from Protect Oxley Beach, a group of 1000 members protesting the location choice.
“It’s in a zone that's highly impacted by flooding, flood debris, erosion, swell impacts, east coast lows and landslips.”
Adams said all local beaches were evaluated for suitability, but Oxley Beach topped the list across an extensive range of criteria.
Ongoing costs: Council believes the facility’s cost each year would be between $430,000 and $500,000, excluding impacts from major storms or coastal erosion.
However, Adams said the committee “don’t accept” the council’s numbers.
“The real costs of maintaining the pool … are approximately $186,000 [per annum].
“This equates to about $3 per person living in the Port Macquarie Hastings LGA.”
Adams expects 100,000 people a year would use the pool
Next steps: The LGA’s Local Environment Plan now needs to be amended by council for the planning proposal to progress.
Consultation is then required with a range of government departments and authorities, and then the community.
A development application would follow this process.