Gunnedah Shire Council to consider legal advice on Memorial Swimming Pool

Gunnedah shire councillors last week agreed to defer a decision on funding agreements for clubs using Gunnedah Memorial Swimming Pool.

The elected representatives were due to determine whether to approve two funding agreements for Swimming Gunnedah and the Gunnedah Triathlon Club.

The contracts would allocate three swimming lanes at the community pool to Swimming Gunnedah, one lane to Gunnedah Triathlon Club and waive $2000 annually in combined fees for lane hire and usage charges for both clubs.

However, it was recommended a decision be postponed as council received last minute legal correspondence on the matter.

This had not allowed councillors enough time to suitably review the correspondence to make a fully informed decision.

Furthermore, a public exhibition period of the funding agreements also raised more than 20 submissions from the general community about the pool usage plans.

Many submissions were concerned about reduced access for learn to swim operators and programs. Other comments said the proposed pool lane allocations disproportionately favoured the clubs and would not serve the broader community.

When the matter was heard at the June meeting of council, councillors agreed it was prudent to wait on the legal advice.

“I do see the sense to delay,” councillor Ann Luke said.

Others wished for quick resolution, sooner rather than later.

“I hope sometime this year we can pull together a satisfactory resolution,” Cr McArthur said.

Deputy mayor Kate McGrath expressed her continued support of the funding agreements.

She emphasised the delay should not be interpreted by organisations involved as council having less support for the proposals.