“Devastating”: Moyne Council votes to decommission Port Fairy pool after $5m repair bill

Port Fairy residents will have to travel to Warrnambool to get their public pool fix, after results from a months-long report forced the demolition of the Belfast Aquatics Facility.

What happened? Moyne Shire councillors unanimously accepted recommendations on Tuesday that the Belfast Aquatics facility was not suitable for repair. 

• The decision followed engineering reports that found significant structural issues and raised concerns about the long-term viability of remediation works.

What did the report find? More than 70 percent of the building’s roofing, timber frame and structural frame required replacement or rectification, while the pool liner, filtration system and plant infrastructure had reached end-of-life. 

• Investigators also identified severe corrosion, mould issues, electrical systems nearing failure and concerns the pool foundations may have been compromised by ongoing water leakage.

• The audit estimated short and medium-term repair works would cost between $3.19 million and $5.92 million, but the report warned that figure did not represent the full cost of reopening the facility or returning it to a long-term, fit-for-purpose standard.

Community reacts: Port Fairy Community Pool Group spokesperson Louise Abicare said the decision was “devastating, but not surprising”.

• “The technical reports were so damning in the state of the building and the pool that to spend what they quoted would have been not viable,” she told the Brolga.

• Abicare said the community’s thoughts have turned to working with the council to build a new pool facility, which will be “some years away, but we need to start somewhere”.

The background: The community-built pool, which opened in 2007, closed last year after Belfast Aquatics announced it could not resolve ongoing mould and algae problems at the facility. The site came under Moyne Shire Council control in January.

Hands are tied: Mayor Jordan Lockett said the intent when the pool was constructed was for it to “last much longer”.

• “We share the community’s disappointment that the facility came into our care and control in such poor condition,” Lockett said in a statement.

• Council said it had a responsibility to consider engineering advice, safety concerns and long-term financial risks before making a decision.

• “Based on the report’s findings, we could not responsibly pursue repair of the facility,” Lockett said.

Now what? Council said the future of aquatic services in Port Fairy would now be considered through its Aquatic Facilities Strategy and further community consultation, with any future state or federal funding applications requiring a clear long-term plan. 

Lockett said the council would continue to “actively explore all viable options” for a future facility. 

Abicare said community engagement would be critical in rebuilding trust and shaping what comes next. 

“We want them to adopt that strategy and stick to it,” she said. “I want to be part of the future, and I want them to accept our help.” 

“We’re never going to get an open dialogue if we are combative.”