You may be tired of the cold weather, but the decommissioning of the Walgett pool has locals concerned about what the upcoming summer days might look like. 

Just as Walgett commenced work on the anticipated splash park for the town, the Council has announced the decommissioning of the local swimming pool after 60 years, with assurance that they are urgently seeking funding for a replacement.

Despite community angst about the lack of swimming facilities heading into summer, the state of the pool had become beyond repair, with a $1.7 million estimate for temporary repairs. 

“The pool is actually beyond redemption…it’s an absolute mess,” Walgett Swimming Club president Ben Hawke said. 



While the decommissioning has forced the swimming club and locals to reconsider what the upcoming swimming season might look like, it’s nothing new for people who frequented the facility. 

“In the last two seasons, if it hasn’t been Covid it’s been pool breakdowns that have cut our season short…last season we couldn’t swim right up to Christmas,” Mr Hawke said. 

Usually, the pool is open for six months of the year, with less than three months until its usual October opening date.

However reports date back years to periods of pool closures due to repairs.

Walgett Shire Council mayor Jane Keir admitted that while the upcoming summer will be difficult, it was an unavoidable decision.

"It's a lot of pain for a huge gain," Cr Keir said.

"This summer is going to be diabolical for our community because we've closed the pool, but we can't continue the way it is."

The pool was suffering from various issues including leaks and a failing filtration system. 

While the local swimming club is yet to meet to decide what the upcoming season will look like, Mr Hawke said that opportunities for swimming development won’t be forfeited. 

“We won’t sit it out because one year without primary school kids learning to swim will be a massive loss for their experience and their improvements. Not having a season is not an option,” he said. 

Unfortunately, it could mean that patrons of the pool will have to travel to the nearest pool facilities such as Lightning Ridge or Coonambe, forcing some out-of-town swimmers to clock up a 300 kilometre return trip for a dip. 

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said that the issue of ageing pools in disrepair is common throughout the region, built in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, and fears that Walgett may not be the last pool to fall. 

“I made the previous government aware of the problem and have already spoken to the current Treasurer and Local Government Minister to make them aware of the state of the pools,” Mr Butler said.

“I will continue talking to the government about providing the funding to keep Barwon in the swim,” he said. 

The Western Plains App understands that the splash park at the Walgett Memorial Swimming Pool location will continue, and may now avoid potential delays, with an energy shortfall being recuperated from the decommissioned pool. 

The Walgett Shire Council said that they will seek funding for a replacement pool as a matter of urgency. They will meet on 31 July to discuss possible solutions for the community in the mean time.