Residents protest pool closure

On August 28, 100 people met at the Newcastle Town Hall to protest against the Newcastle City Council's proposal to close Mayfield's public swimming pool.

The protest was the first campaign action following a public meeting held in Mayfield on August 19, at which 150 people voiced their opposition to the council's proposal. Rather than close the pool, residents argued it should be upgraded, as part of a broader ecologically sustainable project that included solar heating, more shade areas, swim classes, improved adjoining playground facilities, and community involvement in the management of these public facilities.

ABC Radio reported on August 29 that the previous evening, Newcastle council agreed to defer a decision on the pool's closure until November. "There is absolutely no decision until we have this full public consultation and that's what should have happened in the first place", Lord Mayor John Tate said.

From GLW issue 723