In response to a recent letter to the editor regarding Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex, the Gunnedah Times enquired with Gunnedah Shire Council about several questions posed in the community submission. The questions related to pool lane allocations between the Swimming Gunnedah and Gunnedah Triathlon Club, complaints about an alleged conflict of interest at council in the decision-making process and explanation of the poor behaviour described council at recent meetings.

In response, Gunnedah Shire Council (‘Council’) said it was aware of the public statement published in the Gunnedah Times (October 15, 2025) by Marcus Shorter, Swimming Gunnedah Inc president, with respect to pool lane allocation at the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex (‘the Complex’).

“To ensure that the necessary facts and surrounding context are provided, Council would like to provide the following public response,” its statement read.

“It is true that:

• Up until October 31, 2024, Swimming Gunnedah Inc (SGI) had a temporary Hire Agreement in place for access to up to three (3) lanes in the indoor pool at the Complex 20.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday).

• In October 2024, both the indoor and outdoor pools were available for use.

• In October 2024, Council received a request from the Gunnedah Triathlon Club for access to up to two (2) lanes (Monday to Friday) at similar times to SGI’s sessions.

• From October 18, 2024, Gunnedah Triathlon Club were granted access to one (1) lane during the requested times (Monday to Friday).

• Until January 12, 2025, SGI had continued access to up to three (3) lanes for morning and afternoon sessions.

It must be noted that at any time only three (3) lanes per pool are available for exclusive hire to maintain space for public swimmers, learn to swim, and to ensure the outdoor pool’s diving board is accessible.

• On January 13, 2025, Council closed the indoor pool for major repairs, leaving only the outdoor 50-metre pool available for use.

• From January 13, 2025, SGI were allocated two (2) lanes for morning training sessions and up to three (3) lanes in the afternoons (Monday to Friday), with exception to Monday and Friday afternoons, when access was limited to two (2) lanes only due to lower participant numbers observed on those days.

• From January 13, 2025, the Gunnedah Triathlon Club was allocated one (1) lane for morning training sessions (Monday to Friday) and one (1) lane for afternoon training sessions, with the exception of 4:30pm-6pm Tuesdays to Thursdays, where priority was given to SGI’s training requirements.

• At that time, Council’s Pool Hire Agreement stated:

“Priority for lane allocations will be given to not-for-profit community groups and public lap swimmers”.

However, the statement was not intended to give priority to SGI, or any other user group, above another in this context. The Gunnedah Triathlon Club is an incorporated sporting association and therefore must be treated in the same manner as SGI under the Pool Hire Agreement terms and conditions.

• Council’s lane allocation decisions during the specified periods were intended to provide equitable access for all participants. It was understood that some compromises would be necessary as the available pool space during peak times was not sufficient to meet the expectations of all hirers, including SGI, Gunnedah Triathlon Club and private Learn to Swim providers.

• Between November 1, 2024, and February 13, 2025, Council received 15 written complaints in relation to alleged actions and behaviour exhibited by representatives and members of SGI and the Gunnedah Triathlon Club. The complaints contained reference to serious matters that were not only affecting members of the public but also Council staff, requiring Council to seriously consider its ability to continue to provide a safe workplace under the Work, Health and Safety Act 2011. A representative from Swimming Australia also contacted Council to discuss the situation after receiving similar reports and expressing comparable concerns and suggested the two groups be separated.

• Upon consideration of the circumstances and the information available, Council made the difficult but necessary decision to implement a roster, allocating both SGI and the Gunnedah Triathlon Club training sessions to be conducted at separate times. The roster system was implemented effective March 3, 2025 and resulted in a reduction of training hours for both clubs. Under the roster system, it was ensured that SGI retained access to lane allocations during observably busier training times.

• When the revised arrangements affected the usual times SGI hosted Club nights, Council offered alternative times to enable them to continue but the alternatives were not accepted by SGI.

• Following February 13, 2025, and the implementation of the roster system, Council continued to receive written complaints citing alleged actions and behaviour negatively impacting representatives and members of both clubs, and Council staff. In response, Council has offered to hold meetings with both SGI and Gunnedah Triathlon Club present, however, has been unable to reach agreement with the clubs as to how this could occur, demonstrating the deep divide between the clubs.

• Council, including Mayor Colleen Fuller, strives for an outcome whereby all users can experience the Complex in a safe and enjoyable manner. However, currently there is limited evidence to suggest that this can occur unless the obviously strained relationships between SGI and Gunnedah Triathlon Club representatives are addressed.

• Councillors have considered the matters at Council meetings and have heard public statements from both clubs. This initially culminated in a Council decision to publicly exhibit Funding Agreements, incorporating lane access allocations for both clubs, however, was subsequently deferred. At the September 2025 Council meeting, Council determined to:

1. Call for expressions of interest to operate the Gunnedah pool;

2. Consider the expressions of interest against the option of Council fully managing the Complex; and

3. Continue to defer any action in relation to Council Resolution 2.3/25 (Gunnedah Memorial Pool Aquatic Complex Funding Agreements).

• Council remains committed to working with all users to achieve fair and equitable access to the Complex to meet their requirements, however, Council’s statutory responsibilities for staff and patrons require that Council must also manage the Complex in a safe manner.

• Council further notes that it is a legislative requirement for information regarding Code of Conduct complaints, and the management and investigation of Code of Conduct complaints, to be treated as confidential and not to be publicly disclosed.