There was plenty of cheering, applause, and tears of relief and happiness following an intense and passionate debate that lasted nearly two hours during the Clarence Valley Council (CVC) ordinary meeting on September 26 when residents finally received the outcome many had hoped and campaigned for.
With councillors divided over the higher than anticipated cost of tenders for the Grafton Aquatic Centre and council’s borrowing capacity to enable the project to go ahead, close to 50 people in the gallery made their displeasure evident after newly elected CVC Mayor Peter Johnstone circulated a motion which was moved by Cr Bill Day and seconded by Cr Greg Clancy, to decline the officer’s recommendation and only build a 50m pool.
Ultimately, the motion was lost 5-4.
A foreshadowed motion to accept the officer’s recommendation was subsequently put forward by Cr Steve Pickering, who spoke matter-of-factly and implored his fellow councillors to listen to their community and “please vote yes”.
A show of hands accepting the foreshadowed motion 7-2, effectively gave the Grafton Aquatic Centre the green light, and was met with a thunderous round of applause from those in the gallery.
“It was a great result,” Vice President of the Grafton District Services Club (GDSC) Swimming Club Steve Donnelly said following the decision.
“For a while, we weren’t sure if we were going to get the decision we wanted, but we did, and it’s such a great feeling.”
Grafton local Karina Plunkett who presented a passionate deputation to councillors earlier in the afternoon, along with a petition boasting more than 3500 signatures from concerned and frustrated residents, felt sheer relief when the foreshadowed motion was won.
“This is a huge win for the whole Clarence Valley community,” she said.
“So many people want and need the Grafton Aquatic Centre to go ahead.”
Prolific local swimmer Andrea “Torpedo” Thopson agreed.
“It’s a great result, and the facility will also benefit swimmers of the future too,” she said.
Cr Allison Whaites, who has been extremely vocal in her support of the Grafton Aquatic Centre, said it was a fantastic outcome.
“I’m so proud of our community who fought hard and made their voices heard,” she said.
“The Grafton Aquatic Centre would not be going ahead without their determination, passion and support.”
CVC Mayor Johnstone told the Clarence Valley Independent he anticipates the Grafton Aquatic Centre to be completed by next summer.
The tender for the $29.1 million project has been awarded to Hines Construction, with work to commence onsite as soon as possible on Stage 1 and Stage 2 including the demolition of the existing 50m, dive pool and facilities, and the construction of an indoor facility, splash pad, electrical substation, an outdoor 50m pool and grandstand, and the refurbishment of existing amenities.
Emma Pritchard