Open Day demonstrates support for Mayfield Pool

Hundreds of people enjoyed the free enty Open Day at Mayfield Pool yesterday. At one point the organised soccer on the grassed area drew a response of around 30 a side; the circus workshops were very popular; and the pools were full of adults and kids enjoying the water.

The huge success of the day clearly demonstrates the popularity, the current value of the Pool to the community, and its potential as outlined in our submission to Council. It also adds weight to calls from some in the SMSP campaign to review entry fees / trial reduced or free entry, and assess the impact on attendance.

It would be useful if councillors, particularly those in this Ward, called in to witness the impact themselves, and if Council had asked the pool operators to record attendance on the Open Day. The increased numbers was striking to regular pool users.

Once the decision to keep the pool open is formalised on Tuesday (see post below), we can begin to negotiate with Council for them to consider and systematically include and promote more of these sorts of activities for our Pool.

Council Recommends Keeping Mayfield Pool

Following the clear, consistent and strong response of the Mayfield and surrounding communities - via petitions, input at public meetings, written submissions, etc - Council officers are now recommending that Mayfield Pool remain open.

It seems that Mayfield pool won’t be removed (at least in the next 5 years), and might even be improved! See today's story in the Newcastle Herald attached.

Council have called for ongoing community input over the next five years to improve the Mayfield facility in line with local needs.

Come to Council on Tuesday at 7pm (with your swimming gear, snorkels, flippers, signs etc) to witness and celebrate this important vote by Councillors, and to ensure that the vote aligns with the recommendation, in line with community sentiment.

SMSP Floods Council with Submissions

A 10 page submission was lodged with Council today, in the name of the SMSP campaign, detailing the flaws in the proposal to close Mayfield Pool, and the health, community and social justice argument for keeping and improving the pool. This submission was accompanied with:

• a copy of Gionni Di Gravio's presentation of the history of Mayfield Swimming Pool;
• 91 pages of petitions with approximately 2150 signatures;
• 30 Council feedback forms;
• 25 individual, hand-written submissions; and
  
• 21 kids poster-submissions.

All of this is in addition to the large number of individual submissions that have been emailed / posted / dropped in to Council to date. Stay tuned for Council's response.

Successful Submission meeting at the Pool

An enjoyable afternoon at the Pool on Sunday once again reinforced the level of community support for Mayfield Pool. Pool users completed Council Feedback Forms, wrote hand-written submissions, signed petitions, and coloured in "poster-submission" for delivery to Council on the 31st. NBN News and the Newcastle Herald were there, with stories in the paper on on Sunday night's news. Thanks to all who participated to make the day a success.

Action meeting Sunday 28th at 3pm

The next public meeting has been called for 3pm on Sunday 28th October (not the 21st as announced earlier) at Mayfield Pool. As the end of the official consultation period comes closer, we need to send many submissions to Council about why Mayfield Pool must remain open, must remain public, and must be improved. Two documents here provide some ideas that we can include in submissions to win the argument. Please bring along any signed petitions for collection, as well as ideas on creative submissions to Council.

Newcastle swimming club at mayfield pool

The Newcastle Swimming Club is for swimmers of all ages, novices to veterans. They meet on Friday nights at Mayfield Swimming Pool. Free stroke correction and training is provided for club members on weekday afternoons. See the flyer here for details.

The Pool is Open

Mayfield Swimming Pool opened for the season on Saturday. Kate has reported that there was quite a crowd there for a swim in the 20 degree water. See you in the pool!

History of Mayfield Swimming Pool

Gionni di Gravio has put together a slide show about the history of Mayfield Swimming pool, and its connection to Shelly Beach in Mayfield which was given to BHP. If you have not yet seen the slideshow it is well worth it. You can do so here. Thanks Gionni!

Sunday's Sun Herald article

The following story by Michael Blaxland was published in Sunday's Sun Herald, identifying 7 (of 13) councillors who have now publicly committed to maintaining Mayfield Swimming Pool. It is important that we all keep up the pressure on these 7 and the other 6 councillors, by phoning / emailing / writing letters to them individually (see the post below on lobbying Council which has full contact details of all councillors).

Wave of support saves pool

By MICHAEL BLAXLAND
Sun Herald September 23, 2007

NEWCASTLE Council’s plans for a multi-million dollar revamp of swimming facilities have been scuttled following a huge community outburst.

Conversion of Lambton Pool into an aquatic and leisure centre is likely to go back to the drawing board because a majority of councillors won’t support a major plank of the proposal – the removal of Mayfield swimming pool. More than 200 people attended an, at times, heated public meeting on Thursday night which had to be moved from the pool to Mayfield East public school hall because council officers hadn’t expected such a huge turn-out.

A poll of councillors last week by the Sun Herald has found the majority supports retention of the swimming pool, contrary to the council’s draft pool services delivery plan. The plan, which was revealed exclusively in Hunter Extra on July 22, was devised by consultants after private meetings involving only a handful of community members. The proposed public exhibition of the plan was deferred at a subsequent council meeting, pending a series of public consultations which began last week. The four other pools, at Lambton, Wallsend, Stockton and Beresfield would be retained.

Support for the multi-million dollar proposal has dwindled to such an extent that seven of the 13 councillors contacted last week, said they now supported retention of the Mayfield pool. They are Lord Mayor John Tate and Councillors Ian McKenzie, Michael Osborne, Keith Parson, Aaron Buman, Paul Scobie and Sonia Hornery. Councillors Gwen Jackson and Cassandra Arnold said they were not in favour of retaining the pool and Marilyn Eade and Barry Scully said they were undecided. Councillor Helene O’Neill, who had previously been vocal in her opposition to the retention, was unavailable for comment and Barbara Gaudry had been on an extended holiday overseas until late last week.

The retention of the pool should be seen as a chance to re-invigorate the Mayfield area, according to Councillor Tate.
“We need to upgrade our pools and there’s no question that what the Mayfield community wants is an improved pool and one that can stay open.
“For instance we could see a 25-metre heated indoor pool at Lambton and a heated pool at Mayfield as well.”

Mayfield community forum co-chair Bill Robinson said a plan which had been forced on the community had now become an opportunity to improve the area with community support.
“The public was unaware of the proposal until it was revealed in the Sun Herald, which caused a major outcry, but forced community consultation,” he said.
“We now have hundreds of families who are prepared to work with the council to build a fantastic swimming centre, which will benefit everyone and ensure its financial viability.
“Mayfield’s pool was funded by BHP in compensation for the reclamation of Shelley Beach near the Tourle Street bridge.
“The proposal would have taken away our community waterhole.”

4 Point Position for Mayfield Pool

Last Sunday's public meeting endorsed four key points as part of the community position on the Pool and its future. This position was expressed as the basis for our lobbying, and any negotiating, on the future of Mayfield Swimming Pool:

1. Mayfield Swimming Pool must remain in public ownership.
2. Council make a long term commitment to the Pool, at least until 2030.
3. Council commit to improving the Pool in this period.
4. Council support the establishment of an ongoing Pool management committee with community representation.

There is a logical order to these points, based on first ensuring that the proposal to close the pool is rejected by Council. Documents for lobbying councillors, including contact details for all councillors, are in another post below. Please make use of them and pass them around.

Proposal for Heritage Listing

The letter here was written by Colin Whelan and has been forwarded by Colin to the following people: Ms Janet Dore (General Manager of Newcastle City Council); Ms Sarah Cameron (Heritage Officer); and John Tate (Lord Mayor). Please download and read the letter, and if you would like to support this initiative get in touch with Colin.

Consulation sends clear message to Council

The community attendance at Thursday night's Consultation meeting with Council officers at Mayfield Pool was so great that we had to move the meeting to Mayfield East Primary School Hall (thanks to Warwick, the school Principal). Even there the Hall was overflowing! Council officers had the difficult task of presenting the recommendations of the "Pool Service Delivery Model" report which had provoked our campaign. Following a presentation, members of the community expressed frustration, disbelief and anger at the proposal to close the pool, and put forward many arguments about why the Pool must be kept open and improved in the long term.

Arguments for keeping and improving Mayfield pool included: its historical and social importance; access by local schools; social and environmental benefits of large numbers walking to their local pool; equity impacts if forced to rely on public transport or cars to travel to Lambton to pay an increased admission cost ($5 a visit the projected fee); the potential to improve attendance with improvements; the value of decentralised community services; and many others. It was noted that the proposed closure of the pool is directly linked to the proposed upgrade and future profitability of the Lambton facility (via Mayfield pool users going to the new centre, and savings helping to pay for the Lambton upgrade), and that this logic was both flawed and unacceptable.

Many alternatives were put forward, rejecting the proposal that the idea that there were only two options: to continue as is or close Mayfield and upgrade Lambton. Common to these was the idea that Mayfield should be retained and improved for the long term, with things like solar heating / solar power generation for the whole Centre, and consideration of facilities like those in the Proposal, but in "addition" to the maintenance and upgrade of the swimming pool. It was made clear that these ideas do not necessarily mean plans for Lambton can not go ahead, and that other things should be investigated like free admission as occurs in some other states.

Council officers and the Lord Mayor recorded our input and suggestions, and encouraged people to submit written submissions (due the end of October). Our presence and voice at last night's meeting ought to count for several hundred submissions with a clear message!

The Lord Mayor expressed his support to keep the Pool, and comitted to setting up a small committee of community representatives to work with Council to achieve that outcome, which was welcome news. No guarantee yet, but an important step in our campaign.

Many thanks and congratulations to all of us who were there last night, and at the earlier meetings, and who have done the background work preparing and printing leaflets, letterboxing, making posters and banners, speaking with media, etc etc. We have a real opportunity here to achieve a really good outcome for Mayfield. Stay posted for more updates soon!

P.S. Please check details (see the panel on the right) on Monday night's Mayfield Community Forum which is the next opportunity to reinforce our message to Council.

Lobbying Council to Save Our Pool

Thanks Sharon who has forwarded the two documents here to assist with lobying Council (and State and Federal Government) to maintain and improve our pool. The first (far left) has some ideas on what to do, the other has full contact details of councillors and State and Federal members of parliament.

Leaflets for Thursday's consultation

The leaflet here has been prepared for distribution to promote attendance at the Public Consultation meeting this Thursday (Sept 20) at 5:15pm at Mayfield Pool. Thanks Kate! Free to print, copy and distribute in your local school, workplace, shops, meeting, to friends etc before Thursday, and whatever you do COME TO THE POOL ON THURSDAY TO PUT FORWARD OUR VIEWS TO COUNCIL!

Posters for street facing windows

Posters have been prepared for people to print and put in your street-facing window. One is ready to go, the other ready for kids to colour in. Just right-click on the image, download it to your computer and print.

2nd Public Meeting builds the campaign

Another large gathering of over 100 local residents met on Sumday afternoon to report back on the Save Mayfield Swimming Pool campaign, and discuss future campagin actions. Achievements to date included: printing and delivery of 6000 leaflets; banner painting; protest at Newcastle Council; successful radio, newspaper and television media; petitions and posters in shop fronts; t-shirt enquiries; this blog.

Participants agreed to continue these activities, with the most immediate task being the need for large numbers at this week's public consultation meeting with Council at the Pool (Thursday 20th, 5:15pm). In addition to strengthening public support for campaign, participants agreed to develop a written submission for Council making the case to retain and improve our pool. There was a strong sense that this campaign can and will be won through popular support, lobbying Council, and winning the argument...

Mayfield Pool Needs You!

The next Public Meeting of the Save Mayfield Swimming Pool (SMSP) groups is on this Sunday September 16, from 3:00 - 4:30pm, in the Mayfield Bowling Club next door to the Pool. The meeting will be focused on the next steps of our growing community campaign, and will include the following:

• A presentation by Gionni di Gravio: Honouring the history of the pool.
• Proposal to improve the pool in the short-term, and guarantee its operation over 20 years.
  
• Preparation for the public consultation 5.15pm 20^th September at the Pool.
• Grassroots actions: posters for houses and businesses; petitions; distributution of a lobbying kit; letters to the editor/talkback radio kit.
• Facilitating youth involvement in the campaign.
• Kids banner and poster painting.

See you there!

Council Consultation in Mayfield

Newcastle Council has set dates for a series of Consultations with community members, and other "stakeholders", about the the "Pool Services Delivery Model" that has recommended "removing existing 50m Swimming Pool" in Mayfield.

The Consultation Meeting between the Council and Mayfield Community is set for Thursday September 20, 5:15 - 7:00pm, at Mayfield Swimming Pool.

Please come along and bring friends and family, to send the clear message to Council that Mayfield Pool can and should be upgraded, with new facilities in addition to the 50 metre (solar heated!) swimming pool, and the kids pool... "improve it don't remove it!"

Council move to real consultation

Our efforts on Tuesday night have produced a commitment from the Lord Mayor for an extended period of meaningful consultation. The ABC quotes the Lord Mayor as saying:

"There is absolutely no decision until we have this full public consultation and that's what should have happened in the first place ... That's what we've achieved and I think that's a good result. We'll be able to work with the community rather than tell the community what should happen."

Let's take him at his word, and ensure that local residents and users of the pool can have a genuine say, and exert some influence, over how this public facility can be improved for the good of the community.

SMP comes to Council

Around 80-100 local residents and pool lovers met at the Town Hall on Tuesday night, ready for a quick swim on the front steps, and with a clear message for Newcastle City Council: Save Mayfield Swimming Pool: Improve it Don't Remove it! Once again several generations came together to highlight the breadth and depth of community support for this campaign. Regular shows of support were received from passers by, while a vocal chorus of "What do we want? Mayfield Pool; When do we want it? Always!" brought the meeting upstairs to a halt. Another of our swimming team delivered a signed poster to the meeting. Television (NBN) and newspaper crews attended, so look out for some growing media interest. Thanks to all who joined the pool party, and see you at the public meeting on the 16th where we can plan our next one!

Save Mayfield Swimming Pool Media Release

Community gathers to show support for Mayfield Swimming Pool: “Improve it don’t remove it”

This evening (Tuesday 28th) residents of Mayfield, Tighes Hill, Islington and Carrington wearing goggles, snorkels, flippers and other swimming gear will gather at City Hall to show support for Mayfield Swimming Pool. The protest will coincide with the formal tabling of a recently leaked and controversial consultants’ report proposing the closure of the much loved Pool.

“Mayfield Swimming Pool is an important part of our community life”, said Brian Gaffney, spokesperson for Save Mayfield Swimming Pool. At a hastily organised meeting in Mayfield last Sunday week ago, more than 150 adults and children attended and unanimously condemned the proposal to close the pool. Also represented were numerous community organisations including Mayfield Mainstreet, Mayfield Community Forum and the Coaltion of Schools to Save Mayfield Pool, comprising all local schools as well as the unions representing teachers in public, Catholic and private schools.

“Many speakers shared stories of the importance of the pool in their lives, and the life of our community. Older residents remember the last time, 10 or so years ago, when Council tried to close the pool. Mayfield Swimming Pool needs Council to recognise its community value, not neglect it or close it.

“We want to ensure our treasured Mayfield Swimming Pool is retained and enhanced. We want to work with Council to improve both the facilities and swimmer numbers. We say ‘Improve it don’t remove it’.

“Residents honour the pool’s history, acknowledge the pool’s current social value and anticipate the important role the pool will play in our community’s future. The proposal before Council does none of these things.” concluded Mr Gaffney.

Photo Opportunity:
When: 6.30pm today (Tuesday 28 August)
Where: Steps of City Hall
What: Residents of Mayfield, Tighes Hill, Islington & Carrington wearing goggles snorkels, flippers and other swimming gear.

Campaign Action Tuesday Evening (Aug 28)

This Tuesday evening, come and tell Council to Save Mayfield Swimming Pool! The plan to close the Pool will be formally presented to Newcastle Council at a meeting on this Tuesday night, 28 August. We're planning a family friendly protest out the front of City Hall in King Street, Newcastle at 6pm.

Bring your friends, bring your family, bring signs and bring swimming goggles, snorkels, masks and other swimming gear. If you've got a digital camera, bring that too, so we can get plenty of photos up on the website.

The actual Council meeting doesn't start until 7.30pm. If you can stay until then for a silent protest that would be great, but the most important thing is to get there for the photo opportunity shortly after 6pm.

From the Save Mayfield Pool Steering Committee.

Petition to Save Mayfield Pool

Simon has prepared a petition to support the Save Mayfield Swimming Pool campaign. To download and print the petition, just right click on the image and select the save to / download to computer option. Please distribute the petition to friends / colleagues, and help us get the numbers needed to save our pool. Completed petitions can be dropped off at the next public meeting, or email us and we'll organise to pick them up.

Teacher Union support Mayfield Pool

Local members of the Independent Education Union have called on Newcastle Council to keep Mayfield Swimming Pool Open. They have raised the issue with Newcastle Trades Hall Council who have added their support for the campaign. See details here.

Letter box drop

One of the many who joined Sunday's public meeting, Kate, has put together a leaflet for distribution in Mayfield to further build this community campaign. Kate will be coordinating volunteers to letterbox Mayfield.

If you would like to help distribute these, and get a bit of exercise, just let us know by email (savemayfieldpool@gmail.com) and we'll get in touch...

Mayfield community decides to save its pool

A public meeting held on Sunday August 19 launched a campaign to save Mayfield public swimming pool. This follows a leaked report, commissioned by Newcastle City Council, recommending the pool be replaced with a water slide.

Around 150 people attended the meeting, made up of babies and shool-age children, their parents and grandparents. These local residents, and representatives of community groups, opposed the logic of "user pays" for community services like Mayfield's public swimming pool, and called on Council to enhance the pool with additional services rather than remove it.

Proposals included an upgrade of the cafe facilities, more shade covered areas, solar heating for the pool as part of a broader ecologically sustainable project, learn to swim classes, community involvement in the pool's management, and improved adjoining playground facilities for children.

Next public meeting to Save Mayfield Pool

The next public meeting to Save Mayfield Pool is set for Sunday September 16 at 3pm in Mayfield Bowling Club (next door to the pool in Ingall Street Mayfield).

The meeting will report back on actions taken, update on any Council responses, and further build the campaign. All welcome.