Council’s last-minute push to support Tara Pool community

The Western Downs Regional Council passed an urgent last-minute plan in an attempt to support the Tara Pool community following mass outrage over how the council handled the $6m pool project.

The Tara swimming pool is due to open tomorrow.Photo Alasdair Young / Chinchilla News

The Tara community is at the end of their rope mentally and physically after fighting the Western Downs Regional Council’s “unwanted” $6m Tara Memorial Pool project – prompting council to pass an urgent motion.

Tensions ran at an all-time high at the council’s ordinary on Wednesday, May 19, when close to 50 concerned community members filled the chambers at Tara Customer Service Centre.

Their outpouring of heartbreak and concern was ignited last year when the council revealed plans to makeover the town’s swimming pool, which would include shortening the length from 50m to 25.

SAVE THE TARA POOL: Up to 50 concerned community members showed up to the council meeting to have their voices heard, with seven key speakers taking the stand during the deputations. Pic: Peta McEachern

The dozens of residents at the meeting who opposed the council’s Tara Pool Masterplan prompted strategic communications and council facilities councillor Megan James to call for an urgent agenda to ensure the Tara Pool community was better supported by the council.

Councillor James moved that by their next meeting, a plan should be developed to consult with key members of the Tara Pool community to ensure they are supported by council during the pool’s redevelopment phase.

The motion passed, although to councillor James’ dismay, multiple amendments were made to extend the time frame, and remove council’s sole responsibility to bill the support measures.

Although the time frame was pushed to July due to time restraints around the budget meeting, Councillor James said the community felt disempowered and disengaged with council and she feared a delay would widen that divide.

Backing councillor James, works and technical services councillor George Moore said the upcoming budget provided more of a reason to move up the time frame so the council could adequately account for how much funding could be set aside.

BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS: The Tara community rallied funds for the pool in 1960 and built it by hand. Pic:Contributed

“This (Tara Pool Masterplan) has generated more angst than ever before and we need to take their concerns on board,” he warned.

“It will be a push… (but we) need to take a step back and listen and re-evaluate – it’s affecting their mental health.

“By making a commitment, it will provide certainty that council is considering – and that we’re fair dinkum.”

Finance, corporate services, and business strategy councillor Ian Rasmussen said anyone with ‘a real world job’ knew it was impossible to come up with a plan in the following two weeks.

“There’s not a person in the room that disagrees (with the importance) the only problem is the time frame – it’s not possible,” he said.

“I don’t see the rush… we need to get this right… we need a clear plan.”

Originally published as Council’s last-minute push to support Tara Pool community