General News
4 July, 2025
Heritage-listed outdoor pool could be partially reopened through funding
The announcement of $4.5 million from state and local government brings the pool's total funding to $9 million — just shy of the project's estimated total cost.
The Maryborough Outdoor Pool Complex will receive $3 million from the State Government, plus a $1.5 million co-contribution from the Central Goldfields Shire Council, in a big win for the complex’s reopening.
Representatives from state and local government joined community members on Tuesday to announce the long-closed pool complex was among the recipients of round two of the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund (RCSIF).
Alongside the Federal Government’s $4.5 million election promise earlier this year, it means the complex has now secured $9 million of funding — just shy of the project’s estimated cost of over $10 million.
Council’s co-contribution consists of $150,000 from the 2025/26 annual budget to start things like initial “drawings”, Cr La Vella said, with $1.35 million to be borrowed in 2026/27.
In March, council’s interim CEO Sally Jones said the interest payments, based on an interest rate of 4.1 percent, would be approximately $428,000 over the ten-year period of the loan.
Cr La Vella said the project remains a priority for council, despite the expense in a difficult financial environment.
“It’s been prioritised because it’s what the community wants. It’s as simple as that,” she said.
Due to the complex’s escalating costs and council’s tight financial position, the project was broken into two stages earlier this year.
Stage one was expected to cost $4.5 million and is now fully funded.
The first stage will involve the design of the entire complex, repair of the 25-meter learn-to-swim pool, including the installation of new filtration, and building contemporary change rooms.
It also means the community might gain partial access to the complex again, the first time since it closed in 2022, while further funding is sought for the Olympic-sized pool.
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett reflected on the pool’s 85-year legacy and its importance to generations of locals.
“The best memories in summer, learning to swim, and family time — it’s all at the outdoor pool. We haven’t had that in Maryborough for several years now. It’s been horrible for the community,” she said.
“There’s so much nostalgia connected to this place. There’s so many generations who had so many amazing memories here but the younger generation don’t have that.”
Instead, the only generation currently making memories at the outdoor pool is the local ducks having a dip in the deep end.
It’s a situation likely to continue with stage two, the redevelopment of the heritage Olympic pool, projected to cost $5.5 million although estimates will be refined through the design process.
Although council is still short of funding for stage two, Central Goldfields Shire mayor Grace La Vella said she never expected to get this far with the project due to the cost.
“[Pools] don’t make money for council. It’s more outlay than input. But the fact that we’ve got it up is testament to our community. It’s a much-loved pool,” she said.
“Myself, I grew up in this pool. Trained in this pool. Won medals in this pool. It’s part of the fabric of this shire.”
The pool’s advocacy group, Friends of Maryborough Outdoor Pool Precinct Inc, was praised for their contributions to securing the necessary funding.
Ms Haylett said the group’s efforts were a great example of community advocating for community needs.
“It has really strengthened my arm to be able to go to the minister and say there’s a really active group of people here in this community who want to see this project get across the line,” she said.
After years without their historic outdoor pool, the group came together in January to push for progress — and progress they got.
From their first meeting to now, the group played an essential role in the project’s progress, as Cr La Vella explained.
“I think this is a feather in the cap to everyone, especially the community groups that fought hard, kept it in the forefront, and helped push it forward,” she said.
“I totally believe they played a huge role.”
Both Ms Haylett and Cr La Vella praised the group for their professionalism and constructive feedback.
It’s a sentiment established by the group’s organiser and president Duncan Bates.
“My driver is not to undermine the council, my goal is to work with them and hopefully help them get it across the line,” he told The Addy in January.
While there’s still a way to go, following the RCSIF application, Mr Bates said partially reopening the complex would be a win for locals.
“Half of something is a hell of a lot more than nothing of nothing. We could have nothing open and it would be rotting,” he said.
“I see it as a stepping stone to getting everything open. Rome wasn’t built in a day and hopefully, this is just one step in our journey towards getting our Olympic pool open.”
Member of the group Dan Davison said the pool was critical to Maryborough’s social fabric.
“The outdoor pool is absolutely the heart of this town. It didn’t just die when it drained of water and went off with a whimper,” he said.
“Ultimately the community want their pool back.”
Locals will now look to council for the next steps, as will Ms Haylett.
“I am very keen to have those conversations now with council, and I know the committee are as well, about the next steps and how quickly this project could happen,” she said.
