Voting unanimously, Moyne Shire Councillors yesterday took the difficult decision to decommission and remove the Port Fairy pool facility.
Councillors accepted the recommendation that the facility was not suitable for a repair-based solution, given the considerable cost, risk and uncertainty that remediation could return the facility to a long-term, fit-for-purpose operating standard.
Mayor, Cr Jordan Lockett said this news would be hard for the Port Fairy and district community to hear.
“We share the community disappointment that the facility came into our care and control in such poor condition. When the facility was built by the community in 2007, the intent back then was it would last much longer,” said Cr Lockett.
“Council acknowledges the sadness many will feel that their pool will not reopen,” he said.
“This facility meant so much to so many people, and we acknowledge that loss.”
“This decision was not made lightly, and this is not the outcome anyone wanted,” he said.
“We had a duty to consider the engineering advice, safety concerns, long-term risks, and the realities facing the facility. Based on the report’s findings, we could not responsibly pursue repair of the facility. The unfortunate reality is rectification works were only ever possible long before the facility came under Council control earlier this year.”
Questions about the future provision of an aquatic facility for Port Fairy and the surrounding community will continue to be considered through Council’s Aquatic Facilities Strategy and further community engagement.
Importantly, any future request for Federal or State Government funding will need to be supported by a clear strategic position and a strong evidence-based case.
This remains necessary despite the unexpected early closure of the existing facility.
“We resolved at our February 2026 Council meeting to actively explore all viable options for future provision of an aquatic facility in Port Fairy, and that commitment still stands,” he said.
“We now look to the future and remain committed to working on what comes next.”
Listen to Mayor Jordan Lockett speak about the decision.
