Sixteen months after the record-breaking flood that damaged it, funding has been announced for the reconstruction of Wingham’s swimming pool.
The state and federal governments will provide a combined $15 million to replace the facility, incorporating measures to better protect it against future weather events.
The background: The Wingham pool floor was severely cracked by fast-moving floodwaters during the May 2025 floods.
Engineering assessments determined the facility could not be repaired, forcing an extended closure which continues today.
Building stronger: Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain, said the funding would improve the facility’s resilience against future natural disasters.
“By rebuilding the pool with stronger resilience measures, we’re not only restoring what was lost in the 2025 floods, we’re helping protect this important community space against future severe weather events,” McBain said.
Community win: Local Bob Clarke, who has swum at the pool for decades, helped run a media campaign to bring attention to the plight of the pool.
He told the Mid North Coaster he was “very satisfied” to hear the news of the funding win.
“All we've got to do now is actually get the pool started. Getting the money is good, but now we've got to get the work done,” Clarke said.
Never give up: Federal Member for Lyne Alison Penfold praised the Wingham community, saying they had “refused to accept that their pool should be lost because of a natural disaster”.
“They signed petitions, attended meetings, wrote letters, made phone calls and kept speaking up. Almost 3,800 people signed the community petition calling for the pool to be rebuilt. That determination has delivered today’s announcement.”
What’s next: Reconstruction of the facility will be managed by MidCoast Council.
Timeframes for work are yet to be provided.