(Photo) The Molong Swimming Pool back before its 1980’s refurbishment. The ladies dressing shed is at the rear, the kiosk on the right and the toddler pool can just be seen behind the kiosk. Anyone recognise any swimmers??
Interested residents have until 5pm on Wednesday 21 July to comment on the Cabonne Pools Master Plan.
The Masterplan reviews the seven pools that service the over 13,300 residents across the Cabonne Shire, to provide future direction that ensures Council is delivering safe and well-utilised swimming pools to the community.
Otium was engaged in November 2020 to undertake the review of the pools in Cabonne in order to seek improvements and devise a long-term plan for the ageing facilities. The review included a report on the pool usage and the operation of the pools, as well as an assessment of the condition and suitability of current pool infrastructure.
The pool masterplan has been developed through community and stakeholder engagement, asset condition assessments, inspections, high level risk assessment, review of trends and industry best practice. As part of the community engagement process, 315 community members were surveyed regarding their use of the pool facilities. Of these respondents, 94% rated the facilities as adequate or above.
The report commends the advances Council has made through working with contractors, staff and community stakeholders. Efforts to mitigate the risks in safely managing lifeguarding and chemical handling at the pools was reflected in the results of a recent Royal Lifesaving Australia audit, with a measurable improvement in results from the 2018 audit.
In total, there are 40 infrastructure recommendations in the report, totalling a $3 million investment in the Cabonne swimming pools, the highest priority recommendation being for an upgrade to the plant rooms at the Molong, Cumnock and Yeoval facilities. The intention of these recommendations is to allow Cabonne Council to continue to provide safe and modern facilities to the community.
Stage two of the review was largely focused on the s355 pool committees. In consultation with the swimming pool committees, it has been decided to abandon the current s355 committees at each pool and transition to a single advisory committee and go to the market for a management lease of all aquatic facilities in Cabonne.
It is anticipated that expressions of interest for representatives on the Cabonne Council Pools Advisory Committee will be advertised in August. A report will be prepared for the newly elected council to appoint representatives to the advisory committee, this will enable a meeting to be held prior to the commencement of the 2021/22 pool season.
The Pools Masterplan is available for public display for 28 days at www.cabonne.nsw.gov.au/Council/Public-Notices/Draft-Cabonne-Swimming-Pools-Masterplan
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