Restoring lake pool could cost jobs and environment projects

POOL opponents fear its restoration could come at the cost of solar projects, the Lismore gallery precinct and even council jobs.

The cost of restoring the pool is $787,000 which does not include landscaping or seating. Picture: Cathy Adams

WITH THE motion to restore Lismore Lake Pool successful at Tuesday's council meeting, the question now is where the money will come from.

The pool restoration - which a council staff report recommended against - could come at the cost of arts and environmental jobs.

The crucial stipulation in Cr Bennett's motion was that the pool's $787,000 restoration cost, which does not including landscaping or seating, could not be borrowed.

According to Lismore Lake Pool opponent Cr Isaac Smith, this condition made the pool plan "extremely unlikely" to eventuate.

But Cr Bennett was adamant that a new "leaner and meaner" council, formed after the the September election, could see the "change of priorities" needed. He said the current council favoured the arts and environment.

"Lismore City Council currently pays three ecologists and one Climate Change Officer. Just one of these wages will pay for pool maintenance," he said.

Cr Smith said: "I am really concerned about this motion as Cr Bennett said he wants to fund the pool by removing council staff and projects in community solar, environmental management, climate change and farmers assistance. All the things this community has prioritised."

Cr Smith said he didn't think the Lake Pool and the proposed water play park, proposed as part of the $10 million Lismore Park redevelopment and naturalisation of Browns Creek near Lismore Shopping Square, were mutually exclusive.

But Cr Bennett said he was against the Lismore Park Redevelopment and water play park, which was discussed last night as part of Regional Development project priorities.

"The park site is in flood zone and would cost council every time it flooded," he said.

The successful motion will need $55,000 from the budget to undertake detailed planning and investigations, prepare documentation and call tenders for the work. Staff estimated the alternative cost of filling and rehabilitating the pool site was $300,000.

Cr Bennett argued the viability of the free Nimbin Pool could suffer if the Lake Pool was not restored.