A push to build an ocean pool along the coast at Ballina took another step forward yesterday with the Ballina Shire Council allocating $15,000 to complete technical reports.
Lennox Head-based councillor Jeff Johnson had lodged a notice of motion on behalf of the Ballina Ocean Pool Committee in an effort to attract funding for engineering and environmental reports.
‘The Ballina Ocean Pool committee meet regularly and have gained widespread community support for an ocean pool at Shelly Beach,’ Cr Johnson said.
The rock shelf between Shelley Beach and Lighthouse Beach has been identified as the most appropriate place for an ocean pool.
‘The location of the proposed pool has been surveyed and a draft report has been completed by students from the Australian Maritime College in Tasmania,’ he said.
‘The Marine Biology department at Southern Cross University, headed up by Professor Peter Harrison, have committed to completing the necessary environmental reports (EIS).
‘A local planning consultant has prepared the brief that is now being refined and the reports organized.’
‘As part of the brief the services of a geomorphologist (coastal processes) and engineer (Ocean Pool expertise) are needed to complete these reports.’
With funding now allocated for the reports, Cr Johnson said the reports would hopefully be finished this year and presented to the council for consideration either this year or early next year.
‘Hopefully construction would begin next year.
‘We’ve been reliant on volunteers, had site surveyed
‘We’ve surveyed and marked out the site. Local artist Mark Waller will be doing an artist’s impression of what the pool would look like. Should have that in a couple
‘The ocean pool will certainly be an attraction for tourists. In Ballina we have lots of families visit the area so the ocean pool would provide a safe swimming experience for young and old,’ he said.
Cr Johnson was also successful in a motion related to the former Shelley Beach cafe, which would overlook the proposed ocean pool.
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