Candidates for Lord Mayor and Ward 1 are coming to Mayfield to tell us where they stand on all sorts of issues. Come to the candidates’ forum to show them our community is as passionate as ever about saving our pool.
When: 5.30-7pm Monday 18 August 2008
Where: Senior Citizens’ Centre, corner Maitland Rd & Hanbury St (next to the library)
What to bring: Bring towels, floaties, goggles, and signs saying Save Mayfield Pool. Bring a friend too!
Questions for candidates
The Candidates’ Forum is an opportunity to ask candidates questions about where they stand on all sorts of issues that are important to you. The best way to get a question asked and responded to is to:
1. Write your question out – clear and concise is the way to go
2. Bring it to the Forum on Monday afternoon, read it out, and see candidates respond.
Thursday, 14 August 2008
Where do the candidates stand on the future of our pool?
SMSP Campaign is sending the questionnaire attached here to all candidates for Lord Mayor and all lead candidates in Wards 1 through 4 for the upcoming council election. The questionnaire will help voters to know where candidates stand on future of our pool.SMSP Campaign will collect candidates' responses and put them together in the form of a scorecard. The scorecard will be publicised widely in our community in the lead up to the election. We’ll also post candidates' responses here to our campaign blog. Non-replies will be indicated.
Thursday, 26 June 2008
campaign meeting to support mayfield pool
A group of residents met on Saturday June 14 to plan the next stage of what began as the "Save Mayfield Pool" campaign. The final resolution from Council last year read, in part:
"The submission by the Save Mayfield Swimming Pool (SMSP) Community Group be received as a basis for further consultation to take place between Council and SMSP Community Group over a five year period to investigate the business case for the retention of, and future improvement program for, Mayfield Pool."
Based on this commitment, the meeting began planning:
1) Desirable improvements to Mafyield pool, linked to a vision of the sort of community we want to develop.
2) Community consultation for improvements to Mayfield pool.
3) Strategies for political pressure for the upcoming Council elections to ensure Council lives up to its commitment.
4) How to maintain campaign momentum, having moved from the "save" to "improve" side of our campaign.
5) Possible fund-raising activities that we could support for the pool.
Stay Posted for Updates and community activities coming soon...
"The submission by the Save Mayfield Swimming Pool (SMSP) Community Group be received as a basis for further consultation to take place between Council and SMSP Community Group over a five year period to investigate the business case for the retention of, and future improvement program for, Mayfield Pool."
Based on this commitment, the meeting began planning:
1) Desirable improvements to Mafyield pool, linked to a vision of the sort of community we want to develop.
2) Community consultation for improvements to Mayfield pool.
3) Strategies for political pressure for the upcoming Council elections to ensure Council lives up to its commitment.
4) How to maintain campaign momentum, having moved from the "save" to "improve" side of our campaign.
5) Possible fund-raising activities that we could support for the pool.
Stay Posted for Updates and community activities coming soon...
Sunday, 9 December 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, 6 December 2007
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.
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
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.
Friday, 12 October 2007
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.Sunday, 7 October 2007
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.Monday, 1 October 2007
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!
Thursday, 27 September 2007
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!
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.
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