Pollies put people first in fight for pool

WINGHAM Memorial Swimming Pool will be rebuilt following a rare but successful collaborative campaign involving grassroots community advocates and elected representatives from all levels of government.

The pool was irreparably damaged during the May 2025 one-in-500-year flood event and has remained closed since.

The rebuild will now proceed, thanks to $15 million in Federal and State Government funding that has been secured to replace the much-loved community facility.

MidCoast Council Mayor Claire Pontin said the funding announcement was a great outcome for Wingham following 16 months of strong advocacy.

“This is fantastic news for Wingham and for everyone who has worked so hard to see this much needed community facility returned,” Cr Pontin said.

“Council has been chasing funding to replace the pool, because like so much of the damage sustained to our public spaces during the May 2025 flood, this is beyond our capability to fund independently.

“Securing $15 million in Federal and State Government funding means we can now move forward with returning this important facility to the Wingham community.”

Mayor Pontin paid particular tribute to the NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin for her continued support and efforts to secure funding for the pool replacement.

“I’d like to thank Minister Saffin for her perseverance to this project, which resulted in securing the State funds, and her efforts in seeking the matching payment from the Federal Government.

“The community has made it very clear how much the Wingham pool means to them and I thank everyone who has helped advocate for its return,” Cr Pontin said.

“I’d also like to thank Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for matching the State funding and acknowledge our local members, the Federal Member for Lyne Alison Penfold and State Member for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson for their continued support.”

A sense of cohesion and teamwork also shone through in comments from the Federal  Member for Lyne, Alison Penfold MP, who has spoken about the pool in Federal Parliament.

“While we may not always agree on policy, today is a very good example of members of Parliament working across political lines and across different levels of government to support a community in need,” Ms Penfold said.

Ms Penfold commended Wingham residents’ vital role in achieving the desired outcome.

“For 16 months, the people of Wingham have refused to accept that their pool should be lost because of a natural disaster,” Ms Penfold said.

“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.”

Mayor Pontin reflected on the fact that recovery from a natural disaster could not be limited to repairing roads and bridges.

“It must also restore the places that hold communities together and give people hope,” Cr Pontin said.

“This is the Wingham community’s victory. Wingham is getting its pool back.”

Cr Pontin called out the stellar efforts of certain campaigners.

“It is also important to acknowledge the members of the Wingham community, including Friends of Wingham Pool and Wingham Swimming Club, who got behind the efforts to secure this funding,” Cr Pontin said.

The replacement pool will be constructed at the existing site, retaining the facility close to the Wingham town centre.

Council staff have already been working on tender documents, and as soon as the final funding details are provided and a funding deed is received, tenders will be called for the design of the pool.

A tender for construction will follow in 2027.

“There are still a number of steps to go through and a lot of work to do before the Wingham community has a new pool to swim in, but the end result will be a facility that will last for generations,” Cr Pontin said.