Lambton Pool must remain where it is!

during the first week of April 2026, as I walked the streets of New Lambton so many times the residents asked ne if I could prevent to closing of Lambton Pool. Wow what a question? The reason for the question was that there are strong rumors concerning the future of this pool. I enquired as to what they know, as this was news to me. It was often repeated to me, that some at the council say they do not want to do the repairs to the diving boards as the pool will be closed and moved to Broadmedow soon.

This pool must remain where it is because the community do not want it to be moved; this rumor has legs because of the failure to repair the damaged diving boards and other repairs that ought to be done in a timely manner. The rummor is that the basketball stadium at Broadmeadow is planned to be moved to a new location and many ideas keep being raised, yrt no certainity on a new location, at this stage.

I am not convinced that the Newcastle residents want tthe basletball Stadium needs to be moved at all, some say it needs a serious upgrade but should not be moved.

I say repair all issues at the Lambton Pool and maintain a $2.00 entry fee with a $5.00 entry fee for a family as well the owners – the residents of Newcastle need to know the actual costs and income at the pool. After a full audit the council must consider if a reduced entry fee can considered to be viable, and if possible to reduce the charges even fiurther.

This pool was built after fund raising by the local community and so council must keep their grubby hands off this war memorial pool that honors those who put their lives on the line for the sake of the freedom we all enjoy today. 

As to the basketball stadium we need to ask the owners, the people of Newcatle, what their preference is and act accordingly.                        

There must be a budget to keep this pool in good order and open all year round. We know that swimming can assist in promoting good health outcomes. I will fight to achieve this and if possible, even lower entry fees after consulting with the community.

he reason there is a conversation concerning  the moving of the basketball stadium is because the State Government want to replace the show grounds and the basketball stadium with so called budget housing. Hey but this is Newcastle and it seems that the people of newcastle should have a part of the conversation on any plan like this, this is the democratic way – asking the community for their consideration on these matters. We do not need a dictator to mess up our city; we ahve suffered too much of that over the years.