Wingham Memorial Swimming Pool will be rebuilt after $15 million in Federal and State Government funding was secured to replace the much-loved community facility.
The pool was irreparably damaged during the May 2025 one in 500 year flood event and has remained closed since.
MidCoast Council Mayor Claire Pontin said the funding announcement was a great outcome for Wingham following 16 months of strong advocacy.
"This is fantastic news for Wingham and for everyone who has worked so hard to see this much needed community facility returned," Cr Pontin said.
"Council has been chasing funding to replace the pool, because like so much of the damage sustained to our public spaces during the May 2025 flood, this is beyond our capability to fund independently.
"Securing $15 million in Federal and State Government funding means we can now move forward with returning this important facility to the Wingham community."
Mayor Pontin paid particular tribute to the NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin for her continued support and efforts to secure funding for the pool replacement.
"I'd like to thank Minister Saffin for her perseverance to this project which resulted in securing the State funds and her efforts in seeking the matching payment from the Federal Government.
"The community has made it very clear how much the Wingham pool means to them and I thank everyone who has helped advocate for its return," Cr Pontin said.
"I'd also like to thank Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for matching the State funding and acknowledge our local members, the Federal Member for Lyne Alison Penfold and State Member for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson for their continued support. It is also important to acknowledge the members of the Wingham community, including Friends of Wingham Pool and Wingham Swimming Club, also got behind the efforts to secure this funding."
The funding is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
The replacement pool will be constructed at the existing site, retaining the facility close to the Wingham town centre.
Council staff have already been working on tender documents, and as soon as the final funding details are provided and a funding deed is received, tenders will be called for the design of the pool. A tender for construction will follow in 2027.
"There is still a number of steps to go through and a lot of work to do before the Wingham community has a new pool to swim in, but the end result will be a facility that will last for generations."
Stay up to date on the project at www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/recovery
