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!
Thursday, 27 September 2007
Monday, 24 September 2007
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.”
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.”
Friday, 21 September 2007
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:
- Mayfield Swimming Pool must remain in public ownership.
- Council make a long term commitment to the Pool, at least until 2030.
- Council commit to improving the Pool in this period.
- 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.
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.
Thursday, 20 September 2007
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. Monday, 17 September 2007
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...
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...
Monday, 10 September 2007
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 20th 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.
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!"
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!"
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