Mackay Memorial Swimming Centre community reference group dissolved
A State Heritage listing has negated the need for a team informing on its redevelopment.
Community News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Community News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Councillors have today voted to dissolve a community reference group set up to inform plans for redevelopment of the Mackay Memorial Swimming Centre.
The group was established in January 2020, but six months later the council was advised the entire swimming centre site had been listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Memorial Swimming Centre Community Reference Group chair Deputy Mayor Karen May said that State Heritage listing limited the council's ability to undertake significant redevelopment.
"This has impacted the role of the community reference group to the point where it is considered no longer required,'' Cr May said.
"The terms of reference of the group states that its aim is to represent broad community views on plans for redevelopment of the Memorial Swimming Centre site.
"It was established to provide council with input into redevelopment plans in keeping with community needs and the most efficient use of public funds and resources.
"Council is committed to maintaining the Memorial Swimming Centre to its current standard for the community and will continue to work with the operator to ensure the provision of this service.
"But the State Heritage listing means there is little likelihood of redevelopment and that means we no longer need a community reference group to inform us on those plans."
More stories:
Memorial pool break-in damage bill reaches into thousands
Council's big changes to preserve Memorial Pool's future
Businesses battle to take over Memorial Pool operations
Memorial pool users fed up with lack of maintenance
Memorial pool's salvation will come at a cost
Plan to save historic pool as attendance declines
How heritage listing will affect Memorial Pool future
Meet the team consulting on memorial swim centre
A report considered in today's ordinary meeting said the heritage-listing advice was received from the Queensland Heritage Council in July last year.
Consultation was then held with the Department of Environment and Science to ascertain the implications on future maintenance and redevelopment of the site.
Operationally, there has been little change and routine maintenance continues to be undertaken.
But for any significant improvements or repairs, additional steps are now required.
This includes formal approvals from DES and detailed assessments of considerations, such as community usage, heritage preservation and potential impact to heritage values.
This will likely result in an increase in costs to ratepayers and extended timeframes in the planning for any future works.
Subscriber benefits:
How to activate your free Courier-Mail subscription
How to get Daily Mercury news straight to your inbox
Daily puzzles and Sudoku another reason to stay subscribed
Share your thoughts on this issue through a letter to the editor:
Originally published as Mackay Memorial Swimming Centre community reference group dissolved
Who’s who: Clarence council hopefuls battling for your vote
The NSW Local Government elections are just days away, so we’ve approached Clarence Valley Council candidates ahead of Saturday’s vote to see what they’re all about.
North Coast councils shake hands on new water supply deal
It’s been 20 years since the City of Coffs Harbour and Clarence Valley Council agreed to a water supply arrangement. Now, they’ve struck a new deal after a year of negotiations.