Anzac Pool denied Queensland Heritage Listing due to demolition

Hopes for a heritage listing for Anzac Pool have been officially quashed with the site’s “substantial demolition” preventing it from being considered. See how residents have responded.

A heritage listing for ANZAC Pool has been officially ruled out due to the “substantial demolition” that has already taken place.

Queensland Heritage Council chose not to enter Bundaberg’s ANZAC Pool in the Queensland Heritage Register because it was beyond repair.

The pool was closed to swimmers in April and demolition work began in mid-July, after a heritage listing application had been made.

“Due to the substantial demolition and resulting loss of significant features that have occurred at the complex since the Department of Environment and Science (DES) made its recommendation on 1 September 2022,” the Queensland Heritage Council said.

“The Heritage Council considered the place is unable to satisfy any of the criteria for heritage listing.”

The heritage council considered how the physical condition of the site would impact the preservation of its cultural significance.

Demolition has already included the pulling down of several bathroom facilities.

It was a blow to those who campaigned for the site to be saved, after the council decided to demolish the site just months before celebrating its centenary.

The fight to keep the pool’s memory alive has been ongoing for several months with politicians, public campaigns and petitions fighting to keep the site standing.

Jann Edwards of the Save Our Swimmers campaign said the council was aware of the heritage listing application when demolition began at the site.

“They (the council) knew about it, so there’s really no excuse as to why they are going ahead,” she said.

Plans for the redeveloped pool site include a memorial walkway.

“It’s really disappointing because the planning got permission to demolish the pool through delegated duty,” she said.

“According to council’s own guidelines they’re not supposed to use delegated duty if it is a controversial issue.”

Efforts to have stop works imposed on the demolition also failed for a number of reasons, including timelines surrounding the plans and the listing.

“It’s just wrong on so many fronts by our council ... they have desecrated a war memorial,” she said.

The council plans to transform the area into a “modern entertainment precinct” with a “memorial avenue” to recognise the region’s servicemen and women.

The council said they are “yet to receive formal notification,” of the decision, “ and as such has no comment at this time.”