IT appears that Port Macquarie Hastings Council's pledge to consult with the community and to be transparent with their decision making has been totally ignored regarding the Tender Process for the management of the Kendall, Laurieton and Wauchope pools.
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Brad Holt's company, Hastings Aquatics Management (formerly Soyuvu Pty Ltd), has been successfully and popularly managing the three pools for over 10 years.
The decision to change the management of all the pools to Swimwell Pty Ltd, who presently manages the Port Macquarie Pool, was made by Council "in confidence" and with no community consultation.
Last year when the tender process for the management of the Council Swimming Pools took place, members of the public were able to speak for or against the proposed decision but this opportunity was denied this year.
I have been a very regular user of the Kendall Pool and prior to it being built I swam/exercised at the Laurieton Pool. Although I now live in Port Macquarie I still return regularly to Kendall as this is the only Council run pool with ramp and graduated step access.
Brad Holt and his team have always been very helpful and courteous and have maintained the pool to a very high standard. They have suggested and overseen many improvements to the pool and surrounds, regularly with very close liaison and funding from the Kendall Community Op Shop.
It is imperative to have management who have a good relationship with the community. The decision by PMHC is bewildering and very disappointing.
The PMHC minutes also stated that "The Swimwell contract will see a number of improvements at the four pools including the establishment of an indoor pool at Wauchope (similar to the one at Port Macquarie)" .
Does this mean that the new indoor pool at Wauchope will be an above ground pool with no ramp or graduated step access? If this is the case it certainly discriminates against disabled and many elderly patrons.
No one wants to be lowered into the pool via a chair lift unless absolutely necessary, taking away their independence and in some cases dignity.
Will Wauchope end up with the equivalent of a school demountable instead of an established in-ground indoor pool?
I and many others urge PMHC to reinstate the management of the three pools to Brad Holt's Hastings Aquatic Management.
Keri Levy
Port Macquarie