Deputy Premier’s office apologises for Anzac Pool ‘error’

The public pool at the centre of a passionate campaign which the Bundaberg council ended by sending in the bulldozers was the subject of a bizarre letter from the office of Steven Miles' this week.

Anzac Pool advocates who tried to save it from the bulldozers were stunned when a letter from Deputy Premier Steven Miles office this week that assured them demolition on the pool had not started.

A group of residents campaigning to save the Anzac War Memorial Pool on Quay Street from demolition ordered by Bundaberg Regional Council.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles office sent the wrong letter to Anzac Pool advocates this week.

Despite repeated cries from advocates and parliamentary pleas from Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett and Federal Minister for Hinkler, Keith Pitt to keep a slice of Anzac history, the council went ahead with the demolition.

In the last week of September 2022, Zoe King opened a letter from State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Minister Steven Miles which confused her.

Ms King had written to the Deputy Premier to voice her concerns about the Anzac memorial pool being demolished by the council.

Mr Miles’ letter dated September 26, 2022 assured advocates “that the Bundaberg Regional Council is not commencing demolition works at the pool site until the outcome of the heritage application is known”.

Anzac Pool advocates were hopeful that a letter sent to them from Minister Steven Miles' office proved Bundaberg Council’s pool demolition was performed prematurely, only to find out it was all a mistake.

After receiving the letter, advocates were hopeful the council had no grounds to demolish the pool, even though the letter showed the minister’s office was “out of touch” with what was unfolding on the ground.

A heritage listing application was created to try to save the pool, which is still awaiting approval.

Three days later, a separate advocate was sent a letter apologising for sending a mis-stated letter to Ms King and confirming the council had a right to demolish the pool because it had been approved for a permit before the heritage listing application was made.

“Where an existing and lawful development permit exists, the Deputy Premier does not have the authority to intervene,” the letter stated.

A spokesperson for Mr Miles reiterated to the NewsMail in a statement that his office did not mean to cause confusion.

“The letter dated 26 September was sent in error. The recipients were contacted again on 29 September with a correction,” the spokesperson said.

“We apologise for any inconvenience or confusion caused.”