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Byron Shire
March 27, 2024

Government grant needed to build Ballina’s ocean pool

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Lennox based artist, Mark Waller has created a painting of what an ocean pool at Ballina could look like.

An ocean pool at Ballina has been high on the wish list for locals for many years.

The Ballina Ocean Pool Committee have been working to complete the necessary planning reports over the last four years and have announced that the engineering, ecological, traffic/parking study and community engagement reports have now been completed.

According to proponents, ocean pools provide a safe ocean swimming experience for the whole community. They are free to use, open all year round, have minimal maintenance costs and would be a major attraction for our local area with both residents and tourists.

There has been a wading pool incorporated into the final design for the proposed Ballina ocean pool, along with ramp access into the pool for wheelchairs and those who are less mobile. Now the committee are hoping for a government grant to make the pool a reality.

With the NSW State Elections only six weeks away and the fact that the seat of Ballina is one of the most marginal electorates in the state, the committee say that now is the perfect time to let the candidates know that you support the Ballina Ocean Pool Project.

Organisers are suggesting that if you would vote for an ocean pool, then let the candidates know, by writing to Labor candidate Asren Pugh, Nationals candidate Ben Franklin and Greens candidate Tamara Smith asking for them to support the Ballina Ocean Pool for Shelly Beach rock shelf.

Email addresses are [email protected], [email protected], [email protected].


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8 COMMENTS

  1. If ocean pools are so cheap to run, why is Clarence Valley Council currently looking for $250,000 to $300,000 to refurbish the Yamba ocean pool?

    As much as I would like to see a FREE ocean pool in Ballina Shire, I believe the proponents and Council need to look at Yamba’s maintenance expenses prior to getting too far into this.

    As a ratepayer, I am absolutely fed up with constantly being hit with rate increases for things which I am Never likely to use. Ie I have already been slugged a rate rise for the existing pools in Ballina and Alstonville.r

  2. We have a large bay at Shawsy at different levels of depths. We have another great place for kids to go that runs up the outside of the north wall that is tidal but not too deep and a beautiful pristine clear place for swimming and for kids to have a great safe time. Ballina Shire needs to put money toward drenching the river and bay areas. An aerial view shows just how much the waterway is silting up. Next we know with heavy rain high tide we will have land tsunamis occuring is it not that freaking simple to realise. How long before cause the death of a beautiful river, bay etc. Please do not waste money on something that we already have and a new pool just recently built. We dont need it. The cost to up keep it will ongoing.

  3. I know so many people around the Ballina area who want an ocean pool, both young and old. But the obstacle appears to come from the Mayor, David Wright – no spring chook himself – who does not tolerate contrary views on anything. We have to wait for the next Council election to make our views known and carried out.

  4. This is stupid. There’s already a pool there for children. The beaches are so unique and quiet a lot of the time. It would wreck everything.
    Don’t think the government are broke either. They can stop wasting millions and millions on drum lines and shark nets to save some funding for better things.

  5. I think it’s a great idea and support it wholeheartedly. I would definitely use it most of the year and not need to worry about sharks or an unpatrolled beach when I wanted to swim in the ocean.

  6. This pool will bring a massive insurance, repair and cleaning bill which no government grant will cover. Newcastle will close its pools if it doesn’t get major private development. Yamba spent $530k in 5 years on repairs and $50k per year on clean ups.
    Let’s not ruin a natural environment and take a rate hike when we could be looking at cheaper more sustainable safe swimming spots: Shaws Bay, Mullet Beach, North Creek, Lake Ainsworth …

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