Community
29 May, 2026
Pool to be demolished
THE fate of the current Port Fairy indoor pool facility has been sealed, with Moyne Shire councillors this week voting in favour of its demolition.
A technical report on the condition of the pool facility was released last Friday and presented to the council at its meeting on Tuesday this week.
The report outlined the findings of a detailed technical investigation into the facility and identified significant deterioration, with a substantial proportion of key building and structural elements requiring replacement or major rectification.
The reported concluded that a repair-based solution was not appropriate, noting that such an approach would involve considerable cost, risk and uncertainty and may not deliver a long-term compliant or fit-for-purpose facility.
While council acknowledged this would be difficult for the community to receive, the technical reports provided councillors and the community with a clear understanding of the current condition of the site and the challenges involved.
In moving the motion, Cr Myra Murrihy said she did so with a “heavy heart.”
“I really wish we didn’t have to make this decision because it weighs heavily on us all,” she said.
“To demolish beloved community assets such as this is sad because it deeply hurts many people in the community who have now lost access to a warm water facility. Many children, including my own, remain on waiting lists in Warrnambool for swimming lessons because we have lost this pool.”
Cr Murrihy said she understood it was a very emotional time for many, including herself, but she was also sadden by the behaviour shown by some in the community towards councillors, council officers and staff.
“Some behaviour has been utterly disgraceful at times from the public; my kids have been threatened and I’ve been spat on in my own community. There is no conspiracy here, this was not a pre-meditated decision. Council did not close this pool nor own or operate it.
“We inherited this four months ago and while I totally understand this decision I’m sad that I now have to tell my children (and others) I couldn’t save their pool. It’s not the outcome any of us wanted but pouring huge amounts of money into this facility with no long-term future is not responsible.”
Cr Murrihy added that while “we can’t change what’s led us here, we can look to the future. It’s not the end of the conversation regarding aquatic facilities in Port Fairy; it’s the start of a long term strategy.”
Moyne Shire mayor Cr Jordan Lockett agreed, saying he too felt the weight in the room.
“I’ve had kids birthday parties at the Port Fairy pool and, like many others, have also used the pool for rehabilitation,” he said.
“What happens there can happen again. We need unity within our community and to work together and reimagine what’s possible once more.
“It would be financial madness to try to repair that building; it’s a difficult decision (to demolish) but it’s the responsible thing to do.”
The indoor facility was constructed and historically operated by the local community through Belfast Aquatics.
On November 21, 2025 Belfast Aquatics voluntarily closed the pool and fitness centre, advising that it was not in a position to resolve the mould and algae issues that had been identified at that time.
On January 16 this year, following the conclusion of the lease and overholding arrangements for the land, the facility came under the council’s care and control.
In preparation for the end of lease process, council undertook a number of inspections and assessments of the facility.
These inspections raised serious concerns regarding the facility’s structural condition, compliance with contemporary standards, and the condition of key plant, equipment and infrastructure.
The investigation found that facility had widespread and significant deterioration across multiple asset classes and were not isolated to one part of the facility.
In the ‘summary of findings’ presented to council, the investigation found the electrical network was nearing, or has reached, end of life and was not adequately protected from the moist pool environment.
It also noted the pool and plant infrastructure had reached a point of ‘substantial failure’ and the liner was at the end of life – with temporary repairs or patching considered ‘not effective.’
Major leaks were also evident from the pool structure; the filtration system had failed and was obsolete; and more than 70 per cent of the building roofing, timber frame and structural frame required replacement or rectification.
A key finding of the investigation noted that a repair-based approach would carry significant risk and uncertainty.
The asset audit report included an estimate of ‘probable cost’ for the short and medium-term remedial works identified for the existing facility – estimated at around $4.55 million.
Future provision of aquatic facilities for Port Fairy and across Moyne Shire will be considered through council’s Aquatic Facilities Strategy.
The final draft of the strategy will be considered by councillors at the June 30 meeting.
