Northern beaches residents urged to comment on Coffs City aquatic strategy

THE Northern Beaches Residents Association (NBRA) is one of several local organisations urging residents to “have their say” about the City of Coffs Harbour Draft Aquatic Facilities Strategy (DAFS).

NBRA quotes the DAFS as stating that the Woolgoolga pool be developed “as a district-level facility at the current site and actively explore integrated co-location opportunities with other community infrastructure.”

The NBRA’s position is that all concepts planned for the “current site” need to be approved by the community and the current site needs to be defined to include the Ambulance Station.

It says that any pool (50m or 25m) in West Woolgoolga will need funding, which has raised community concerns about the possibility that part of the existing Pool Block could be sold-off.

Ray Willing, from the NBRA, said the Council recently informed NBRA that: “The preparation of the Plan of Management incorporating the Woolgoolga Swimming Pool and Recreation Reserve is still in progress.

“We are expecting to have the draft document completed for Council consideration and approval to seek Crown Lands NSW endorsement to advertise for public submissions, within the first half of 2026.”

He said, “A Draft Sport and Active Recreation Strategy is expected to go to Council around April with the same consulting firm, Otium Planning Group Pty Ltd, being used for it and the Draft Aquatic Facilities Strategy.”

Mr Willing also said that the consultant has told the community that “the land west of the site is earmarked for future outdoor sports facilities, pending the findings of the Sport and Active Recreation Strategy scheduled for development in 2026.”

He said, “The consultant has made a decision for the community, the details of which are not known.

“Despite this, the community is asked to accept this when commenting on the Draft Aquatic Facilities Strategy.”

Another member of the NBRA said, “There is precious little green space in Woolgoolga and it should be preserved for public use.

“If relocation of the pool cannot happen, it should not follow the plan that was proposed several years ago where all facilities were jammed hard up against Beach Street and the back half of the block looking very much like being sold off to developers.

“This would be a disaster and create worse traffic issues than already exist around this area.

“To install a 25 metre pool in Woolgoolga is so short-sighted, as population growth in this area is exploding.

“Ideally, we need a 25m heated indoor pool that can be used all year, and a 50 metre outdoor pool.”

A meeting with Council at the Woolgoolga Pool was scheduled for earlier this week, with the NBRA urging the local community to comment on the strategy on Council’s “Have your Say” website before 23 January.

“To maximise transparency, the Draft Aquatic Facilities Strategy, the Draft Sport and Active Recreation Strategy and the Plan of Management should be considered together,” Mr Willing said.

“We do not want what was offered a few years ago.

“We want the green space on Beach Street retained.”

By Andrew VIVIAN