General News
11 November, 2025
Pool removal a big loss for small town
MT Garnet’s swimming pool, dressing sheds, toilets, showers and tuckshop will all be demolished by Tablelands Regional Council in the coming weeks, much to the deep disappointment of the community and its divisional councillor.
The pool and its associated facilities were built and paid for by the community, and despite repeated pleas to repair it, the council decided to demolish the entire facility, leaving locals with no place to swim but a nearby creek.
Community spokesperson Heather Payne said the council had advised them that the pool could not be repaired but since the water had been drained, she could see that the concrete pad was still serviceable.
“TRC told us the concrete was in such poor condition that the pool would collapse as soon as it was drained which was done almost a year ago,” she said.
“The pool concrete is still so good that rain collects in the bottom.”
Ms Payne has been in contact with Member for Hill Shane Knuth and Senator Susan McDonald to try to get funding for a new pool but says TRC is the “stumbling block”.
“Of course, the main stumbling block is the TRC who, despite all our efforts, petitions, submissions, five-year plans and practical experience running the pool ourselves for 30 years, refuse to believe we can successfully operate a local pool,” she said.
“In my opinion, they don’t want to risk spending any ongoing funds in our small remote community, especially with bigger projects, like the Prior’s Creek development, on their mind.
“They will tell you that they are considering spending some of that $500,000 from the State Government (originally allocated to the pool) on improvements to two of our local parks, when all we want is a pool.
“At the moment, little kids are risking their lives swimming in our deep, weedy, local dam. As I’ve said before, what price is one child’s life?”
Her thoughts were echoed by Cr Annette Haydon at TRC’s latest meeting.
“It is deeply disappointing to see the destruction of the Mt Garnet pool which has held so much value for our small community,” she said.
“For generations, it wasn’t just a pool, it was a place where children learned to swim, families gathered and the community came together through the hot summers.
“In a town with limited recreational options, this loss hits especially hard.
“It sends a message that smaller communities don’t matter as much when, in fact, places like Mt Garnet need these facilities the most.
“The pool was a vital part of our town’s wellbeing, safety and community spirit and its removal leaves a gap that cannot easily be filled.
“It is deeply disappointing that infrastructure that was built and paid for by the Mt Garnet community (is being) removed and handed over to other departments without consultation.
“Transferring or removing such infrastructure disregards local ownership and undermines community pride and trust in council decision making.
“But I suppose it isn’t much different to the Innot Hot Springs community hall, fundraised totally by locals from a community of 50 people, not council.
“We deserve to have our voices heard and to see genuine investment in seeing small communities strong and supported.”
