Anzac Pool heritage application under consideration

The fate of Bundaberg’s Anzac pool now rests with the Queensland Heritage Council after the State Government recommended it be declared a ‘state heritage place’. Read the latest in the battle to save this historic site.

Loftus Contracting was awarded the tender to demolish Anzac Memorial Pool after it was approved for demolition by Bundaberg Regional Council.

Anzac Pool, the former site of The Returned Soldiers’ Memorial Baths in Bundaberg, has been recommended for heritage listing by the Department of Environment and Science.

It follows a campaign by Friends of the Anzac Memorial Pool to save the site after it was approved for demolition by the Bundaberg Regional Council.

A Notice of Chief Executive Recommendation letter to the campaigners said heritage listing approval now officially rested with the Queensland Heritage Council.

Loftus Contracting was awarded the tender to demolish Anzac Memorial Pool after it was approved for demolition by Bundaberg Regional Council.

“On 1 September 2022, the delegate for the Chief Executive of the Department of Environment and Science (the Department) recommended to the Heritage Council that the Anzac Pool, Bundaberg be entered in the Queensland Heritage Register as a State Heritage Place,” the letter stated.

“The Queensland Heritage Council (Heritage Council), an independent body, decides whether a place is or is not entered in the Queensland Heritage Register.”

While the letter brings some good news for Friends of the Anzac Memorial Pool, the final decision now lays with The Heritage Council.

“The Heritage Council, however, has the discretion to make a decision which differs from the Department‘s heritage recommendation,” the letter stated.

It’s anticipated The Heritage Council will hear verbal responses to the DES heritage recommendation at its meeting in Brisbane on October 7.

Burnett LNP MP Stephen Bennett made a desperate plea to Parliament on Thursday, September 1, calling on the Deputy Premier and Bundaberg Labor MP Tom Smith to step in and stop the demolition of the historic site.

“Despite months of community pushback, huge budget blowouts, and a heritage application being lodged, this State Government has continued to invest money into a project that will destroy a vital piece of our history,” he said.

Loftus Contracting is currently undertaking works to demolish Anzac Memorial Pool, also known as The Returned Soldiers’ Memorial Baths.

Mr Bennett said Mr Miles and Mr Smith had “failed the people of Bundaberg by ignoring their appeals for help”.

“It’s the 11th hour, we need the Deputy Premier and Member for Bundaberg to show some leadership and put a halt to demolition works,” he said.

“Contracts have already been awarded to start bulldozing despite an application sitting with the Queensland Heritage Register.”

A stone, which still exists at the site, was laid at the pool on August 25, 1923 by a Miss Ethel Campbell, which states that the site was “erected to the memory of those who fought in the great war 1914-1918”.

It means the site would be 99 years old this year, something Mr Bennett declared a ‘symbolic reference’ to the Bundaberg men and women who sacrificed their lives for their country.

“It’s not about abandoning the project altogether, it’s about consulting with the community to honour the sacrifice Australian soldiers made, and protect classic 1950’s architecture,” he said.

“This pool is a ‘living memorial’.

A stone, which still exists at the site, was laid at the pool on August 25, 1923 by a Miss Ethel Campbell which states that the site was “erected to the memory of those who fought in the great war 1914-1918”. It means the site would be 99 years old this year.

“It’s a symbolic reference to the communities’ involvement in both World Wars I and II.

“Thousands of school children have learnt to swim at Anzac Pool that has also been a training ground for local Olympians.

“It’s the place where Rosemary Lassig set her first world record before she swam for Australia at the Rome Olympics in 1956.

“To see it destroyed would be an absolute disgrace, a disrespectful blow to our veterans and community.

“It’s time for the Deputy Premier and Member for Bundaberg to intervene and stand up for the Bundaberg community.”

Mr Smith said he had taken action to address the issue by raising it in Cabinet.

“I have met and consulted with a portion of community members and advocates in relation to Bundaberg Regional Council’s plans to redevelop Anzac Park,” Mr Smith said.

“As is my duty to allow all voices within my community to be represented to Cabinet, I have shared with the Minister for Environment the concerns of those community members as they have requested of me.

“The Department has provided its recommendation to the Queensland Heritage Register who will assess the application for Anzac Park Memorial Pool.”

Bundaberg Council CEO Steve Johnston confirmed council had received a letter from DES outlining its recommendations to the Queensland Heritage Council.

“Bundaberg Regional Council received a letter this morning from the Department of Environment and Science regarding the recommendation for Anzac Pool,” Mr Johnston said.

“Council is currently clarifying a few points within the letter with DES.”

Loftus Contracting was contacted for comment, but the owner told the NewsMail he “wasn’t allowed to say anything.”