Eagleby anger as Logan closes public pool after health, safety report without consulting residents

A southside community has been left blindsided and with no public swimming pool after the local council voted to shut the 30-year-old facility following a health and safety report. WATCH THE VIDEO

A southside community of about 13,000 people has been left blindsided and with no public swimming pool after the local council shut the facility, following a health and safety report.

Logan City Council voted to close the 30-year-old Eagleby Aquatic Centre this week after a health and safety inspection but without public consultation.

Dismayed residents gathered at the deserted site on Friday after the council said the ageing facility, which includes two outdoor pools, would be redeveloped.

The Eagleby Aquatic Centre will close and be redeveloped.

Eagleby resident Nate Hamon said the community was angry the council had made the decision without consulting ratepayers.

Mr Hamon said residents were left in the dark about the reasons for the closure.

“We’ve been shafted and all we’ve been told is that it is not reopening after it was closed for winter,” he said.

“We have a higher population than most of the other suburbs around us who are getting multimillion-dollar upgrades to their pools.

“This community is surrounded by rivers and the kids here need to learn how to swim.

“It’s a disgrace that very little money has been spent on the facility and now it’s too expensive to upgrade.”

Eagleby resident Robert Livingstone said although no plans had been unveiled for the site, similar community facilities in other council areas had been bulldozed to make way for high-rise community housing.

“The council said it will now ask us what we want to do with the site — we have already said we want the pool to be fixed and reopened,” he said.

“There is already a pool here so it makes sense to repair and maintain it.”

Angry residents at the closed pool at Eagleby.

Logan council CEO Darren Scott said the nearby Beenleigh Aquatic Centre’s outdoor pool was almost 60 years old and after a $4.5 million upgrade would become the city’s second 50m pool next to the pool at Underwood.

Logan City councillor for the area Karen Murphy was unavailable for comment but in a statement said she had tried to win over other councillors to vote to keep the pool open.

Ms Murphy, who was a past president of the aquatic centre’s swimming club, said she had told the council chief executive of her concerns in a letter and had also noted suggestions for a water park at the site.

“While many are devastated by the decision, it is clear there are also some great suggestions and feedback about the future of the site,” she wrote on Facebook.

“My office has engaged with internal stakeholders and will meet with council staff across several branches shortly to discuss the next steps.

“While I can’t speak to the confidential report, I am working to get the best outcome for our community.”

Logan City Council voted to close the Eagleby pool after a secret health and safety report.

Two primary schools, Eagleby South State School and Eagleby State School, who use the facility, will be forced to hold swimming lessons at other venues.

The Eagleby Giants Rugby League Football Club will also have to find another venue to use for change rooms.