Regional Victorian Town to Lose Community Pool Due to Structural Issues

A regional Victorian town will lose its beleaguered community pool after councillors decided to demolish the facility due to significant structural and maintenance issues. At an emotional council meeting this afternoon, Moyne Shire councillors unanimously voted to decommission the Belfast Aquatics Community Pool at Port Fairy. An independent assessment called for the facility to be demolished after finding more than 70 per cent of the building's roof and structure required replacement or fixing. The pool was closed to the public in November 2025, after mould and algae were detected in the building. The pool's shuttering has been met by community uproar, with some locals rallying to protest the closure and calling for it to be reopened. When the facility was built in 2007, the local community promised Moyne Shire that no council money would be needed to operate it. It ended up costing Moyne Shire more than $3 million over its lifetime. Up to $6m repair cost The council took control of the facility after its forced closure in November and commissioned an independent assessment of the facility's condition. It found widespread and significant deterioration at the facility, including structural issues, a failing electrical network, and a major leak in the pool itself. The report said it would likely cost between $3.19 million and $5.92 million to do short-to-medium term repairs to the facility, but emphasised it could even cost more to get the pool up to operating standards. 'Financial madness' Deputy Mayor Myra Murrihy was emotional as she spoke of the "heavy decision". "Nobody becomes a councillor to demolish a loved community facility," she told the meeting. She said she noticed children needing swimming lessons were now on waiting lists for nearby pools in Warrnambool, while elderly people were physically deteriorating due to a lack of activity. But Cr Murrihy said she was also upset about the poor behaviour directed at councillors and staff by upset community members, including "children being spat on". "Abuse, intimidation, and personal attacks are not acceptable," she said. Councillor Susan Taylor said the council needed to consider the financial sustainability of the entire shire. "I cannot justify putting money towards a compromised facility," she said. Mayor Jordan Lockett said he recognised the community's desire to keep the pool, but said it would be "financial madness" to repair it. Council staff told the meeting there was no money budgeted for the pool demolition, so it would not be progressed for at least a few months. The pool opened in 2007, after years of campaigning by residents for a heated indoor pool in the town.