One of several local people to address the council meeting at Wauchope Showground on March 18, the Wauchope Community Indoor Heated Pool Committee's Diane Gilbert read a "Letter of Support" from Ms Pavey, who is also the current NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Rural and Regional Health in the state's upper house.

Ms Pavey's letter said:

"The Wauchope Indoor Pool Committee has been a strong voice for the people of Wauchope and surrounding areas in advocating for the construction of a 25 metre indoor, heated swimming pool at Wauchope. This project has been under consideration for many years supported by the people of Wauchope and surrounding areas who have donated money which has been invested waiting for the 'green light' to proceed.

"If I am successfully elected as the Member for Oxley following the March 28 state election I will do whatever I can to secure funding and grants to support this valuable community project and hope the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will allocate the appropriate funds received from the sale of 'Timbertown' to the community.

"As Parliamentary Secretary for Rural and Regional Health, I understand the importance of maintaining the health and wellbeing of communities and I am committed to working alongside this vibrant and energetic group in seeing the project completed to Stage 4.

"Kind regards, Melinda Pavey".

At the completion of her address, the Mayor, Cr Peter Besseling, asked Mrs Gilbert how much money had been committed by the prospective new Member for Oxley.

On being informed that as she was not yet elected she had not been able to make any firm commitment, Cr Besseling said he had asked the question because they had been "down this road many time before", where "help was promised but no funds were committed".

After some further discussion of financial grants, Cr Lisa Intemann asked the council's general manager, Craig Swift-McNair, whether, if the state government came up with a significant amount of money, "would the council be in a position to support that project in some financial way?"

Mr Swift-McNair replied the council would "need to see what's on the table", but if there were such a commitment the council "would sit down and discuss it with her".

Cr Intemann said Mrs Gilbert should "get a commitment and come to council".

Earlier, the public gallery of about 45 heard Sheryl Barnett, on behalf of the Wauchope Business Association, read a list of issues the group wanted the council to address.

These included conditions at Rocks Ferry Reserve which made it hazardous to launch canoes, deterioration of an access path and a build-up of algae on the boat ramp. In addition the WBA was concerned about planter boxes restricting pedestrian space on High Street footpaths, the need for more seating for the elderly, the possibility of replacing plastic waste bins with non-flammable metal ones, and the need for better markings and lighting at pedestrian crossings.