The decision by Clarence Valley Councillors to support the officer’s recommendation to seek expressions of interest to dispose of the South Grafton Pool and Boyd Nattress Complex by way of sale with a report to come back to Council on the response to the expression of interest at the Ordinary Meeting of Council at the Maclean Council Chambers on March 20 has been described by many locals as extremely sad and disappointing.

Opened in the early 1980s, the complex includes a 25m indoor pool with six lanes, a hydrotherapy pool, a shaded outdoor toddler pool, gymnasium, kiosk, change room and amenities, and a fitness area/aerobics space.

Earlier this year, its future was the topic of several community conversations amidst speculation circulated via social media regarding its viability and ongoing maintenance costs.

More recently, it has also been revealed that notice has been received by Council’s Contract Manager to conclude the contract for the management and operation of the premises on April 11 this year.

During the Ordinary Meeting of Council last week councillors considered four options for the facility which included disposal by sale or Expression of Interest long term lease, rezoning and sale of land for commercial purposes, or demolition and sale of unimproved land.

Describing the officer’s recommendation as one he had been “mulling over for some time”, Deputy Mayor Greg Clancy identified the hydrotherapy pool in particular as being “the area of contention”, and said should the facility be closed, the local community would be without a hydrotherapy pool.

“I was hoping that we (Council) might be able to come to some conclusion about maintaining the hydrotherapy pool, but the reality is the cost of bringing the facility up to scratch and the ongoing maintenance and management costs are just far too great, unfortunately,” he said, adding it was always part of the plan to close the facility once the new Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre was opened.

The Deputy Mayor went on to explain that in supporting the officer’s recommendation, Council are “seeing if there is anyone out there interested in buying the property” to continue its operations in its current format with the hydrotherapy pool, adding it will ultimately come back to Council.

“I think at this stage this is the only thing we can do,” he concluded before revealing he was reluctantly supporting the motion.

“I would like to have seen a better outcome.

“Hopefully there may be other things happening in the area that will accommodate people who require a hydrotherapy pool.”

Deputy Mayor Clancy went on to say from his understanding the temperature of the indoor pools at the Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre will accommodate some people at the lower end of the spectrum of requiring heat, but unfortunately not those who require the full hydrotherapy temperature.

South Grafton resident Brad Edwards, who was seated in the public gallery during the Ordinary Meeting of Council last week, told the Clarence Valley Independent he viewed the decision as a massive failure of Council and lamented the lack of effort demonstrated by the local government body in keeping the facility better maintained, allowing it to continue to operate and provide what he describes as a valuable community service.

Mr Edwards, who attends the South Grafton Pool and Boyd Nattress Complex five days per week, sometimes twice a day to use the 25m pool and gymnasium, said the hydrotherapy pool is quite popular, particularly with the elderly and Clarence Valley residents with mobility issues.

Following the recent decision announced by Council, Mr Edwards said those who rely on the hydrotherapy pool now have nowhere to go.

“There isn’t a hydrotherapy pool at the Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre, and in making this decision, Council have failed the people of Grafton, particularly older citizens and people with limited options,” he explained.

“This is a slap in the face to the local community.

“It’s a shame, and I feel quite disappointed.”

As she acknowledged the great work exemplified by the management team at the South Grafton Pool and Boyd Nattress Complex throughout the past 40 years, Cr Allison Whaites said Council had received a request from the South Grafton RSL Sub-Branch to have the wrought iron gates with the words ‘War Memorial Baths’ at the entrance to the facility relocated to Lane Boulevard Park where the cenotaph is located and where memorial services are held in South Grafton.

The officer’s recommendation also supported their relocation in consultation with the South Grafton RSL-Sub-Branch.

The motion was carried unanimously.

This article appeared in Clarence Valley Independent, 26 March 2025.