Last week, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council received the disappointing news that its application for $13.6 million in funding to deliver a new aquatic facility had been denied.

Mayor Adam Roberts says he is still trying to find available funding in order for future planning and development of the centre to continue.

💧What’s the proposal?

Last year, Port Macquarie Hastings Council lodged a development application (DA) for a proposed multi-million-dollar new aquatic facility at Macquarie Park on Gordon Street.

Stage 1: Includes scope for a 50-metre outdoor pool, a 25-metre pool with transparent roof, a 20-metre indoor pool, gym, amenities, kiosk and 128 parking spots.  

Stage 2: Includes a gym expansion, splash pad and slide and 42 additional parking spaces.

Stages 1 and 2 have been valued at $55.7 million and $11 million respectively, however funding is yet to be allocated to the project. 

🚫Why was the funding denied?

Port Macquarie Hastings Council submitted the funding application to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and Arts for its support to progress Stage 1 of the Port Macquarie Aquatic Facility, in October 2024.

The Department advised that while the nominated project was regarded as suitable, it was unsuccessful in receiving funding, due to a number of factors including project size, complexity, funding requested, value for relevant money, risks associated with the project, and available program funds.

The council applied for $13,640,000 via the Australian Government Growing Regions Program. The funding was contingent on the council matching the amount dollar-for-dollar.

The new aquatic centre will cost $67 million in total.

📣 What’s the Mayor doing?

Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor Adam Roberts said the council will continue efforts to continue to pursue funding for the Port Macquarie Aquatic Facility.

Mr Roberts told the Mid North Coaster he had recently met with local state and federal MPs to discuss available funding support “to allow the best possible chance for future planning and development of the facility to continue.”

🗣️“As the aquatic facility is a key priority for council and our community, it is important that I continue to advocate for this project by working with our elected members to identify all possible funding sources,” he said.

Mr Roberts said after finding out the application for funding was unsuccessful, he spoke with Federal Member for Cowper, Pat Conaghan MP, who committed to working with the mayor and council to continue to seek future funding support for the project.

🏊️ What’s available while Port waits?

This aquatic facility has been in the making for many years starting with a Masterplan back in 2016.

Port Macquarie currently has one public swimming pool – the Port Macquarie War Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool – on Gordon Street.

It is a two minute walk from the proposed site of the Aquatic Centre at Macquarie Park also on Gordon Street.

The existing pool, built in 1965, has had reports of leakage in the past due to aging infrastructure. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council said there are no confirmed plans for the existing pool site once the Aquatic Facility construction is complete.

Subject to deliver of the new facility, the council would decommission the Port Macquarie War Memorial Olympic Pool and investigate the most appropriate use for the site.

There are three other public pools in the region, located in Kendall, Laurieton and Wauchope.