Financial Responsibility and Community Priorities

Investing in the right project, at the right location

Protect Oxley Beach Port Macquarie supports the community's aspiration for an ocean pool. Our concern is not with the concept itself, but whether Oxley Beach is the most appropriate and financially responsible location for such a significant public investment.

The proposed Port MacquarieOcean Pool represents one of the largest recreational infrastructure projects ever considered on this section of the coastline. While construction is expected to rely heavily on external grant funding, the ongoing responsibility for operating, maintaining, repairing and eventually renewing the facility would ultimately rest with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and, in turn, the community through rates.

Given the scale of the investment and its long-term financial implications, we believe the proposal should be carefully assessed alongside Council's existing infrastructure priorities, financial capacity and long-term strategic plans.

A significant capital investment

The Ocean Pool feasibility study estimates construction costs of approximately $13.28 million (2025 dollars). However, Council advises this is an early-stage Class 4 estimate with an accuracy range of -15% to +50%, meaning the final construction cost could be substantially higher. The estimate also excludes escalation, financing, legal costs, abnormal weather, several authority fees and other potential project costs.

If grant funding is pursued, the project will compete against many other high-priority infrastructure projects throughout New South Wales, with no guarantee that funding will be secured.

Why is Oxley Beach an expensive location?

Much of the project's cost is driven by the site's geography rather than the ocean pool itself.

Unlike flatter coastal locations, Oxley Beach requires substantial engineering to establish and operate permanent infrastructure within a steep, exposed marine environment.

This includes:

• extensive reinforced concrete structures

• excavation and modification of natural rock platforms

• long access ramps

• seawater intake and discharge infrastructure

• pump stations and mechanical equipment

• connection of water, sewer, electricity and communications services

• construction within an active coastal hazard area

• continual maintenance of marine infrastructure exposed to saltwater, waves and storms.

These location-specific challenges increase both the initial construction cost and the long-term cost of owning and maintaining the asset.

The costs continue for decades

Construction is only the beginning.

Council's independent financial assessment estimates the Ocean Pool would require approximately $430,000–$500,000 every year for operation and maintenance, including:

• routine maintenance

• cleaning

• electricity

• seawater pumping

• depreciation

• long-term asset renewal.

Importantly, these estimates do not include the cost of:

• major storm damage

• coastal erosion

• climate adaptation works

• significant structural repairs associated with coastal hazards.

As infrastructure ages, these costs are expected to increase.

Council's Finance assessment also identifies a number of ongoing financial risks, including:

• unavoidable annual operating costs

• annual depreciation of approximately $250,000–$260,000

• annual renewal funding requirements of approximately $110,000

• exposure to construction cost escalation

• increasing maintenance associated with marine infrastructure

• the likelihood that long-term ownership and liability would ultimately fall to Council.

Comparable ocean pools and marine structures throughout New South Wales demonstrate that repairs following severe storms can require substantial unplanned expenditure, often running into millions of dollars.

Not identified as a strategic priority

Council's own assessment notes that the proposed Ocean Pool is not identified within any adopted strategic planning document or infrastructure delivery program.

The proposal is not included within:

• the Community Strategic Plan

• Council's Recreation and Open Space Action Plan

• Council's strategic infrastructure planning

• any adopted long-term capital works program.

At the same time, Council has identified delivery of the Port Macquarie Aquatic Centre as its highest priority aquatic infrastructure project.

The proposal also comes at a time when Council has approved significant rate increases over the next five years while continuing to manage increasing costs associated with renewing and maintaining existing public assets.

Every dollar has an opportunity cost

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is responsible for maintaining thousands of public assets across one of the largest local government areas in New South Wales.

Every new long-term financial commitment reduces Council's capacity to invest in other community priorities.

Residents have consistently identified the need to improve existing infrastructure, including:

• the Port Macquarie Aquatic Centre

• Laurieton Pool

• Tuffins Lane Sporting Complex

• Wauchope Sporting Complex

• road resurfacing and rural road grading

• bridge repairs

• the Wrights Road roundabout

• King Creek intersection improvements

• playgrounds and parks

• footpaths and shared pathways

• reserve maintenance

• community hall upgrades

• renewal of existing sporting and recreational facilities.

These are projects that benefit communities across the entire local government area and have already been recognised through Council's strategic planning processes.

A permanent commitment for every ratepayer

Should Council ultimately own or operate the Ocean Pool, every resident and ratepayer across the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area would contribute towards its operation, maintenance, renewal and eventual replacement, regardless of whether they ever use the facility.

Unlike the initial construction cost, which may be partly funded by grants, these ongoing obligations would remain for the life of the asset and would be funded through Council's long-term budgets.

We support an ocean pool—at the right location

Protect Oxley Beach supports the development of an ocean pool for our community.

Our concern is that Oxley Beach is an unusually expensive, technically complex and high-maintenance location for such a facility. Much of the projected cost is directly attributable to the site's geography, environmental constraints and exposure to coastal hazards.

A location with level access, existing services, lower engineering requirements and reduced exposure to coastal processes has the potential to deliver an ocean pool at a lower whole-of-life cost while reducing the long-term financial burden on future generations of ratepayers.

Choosing the right location is not simply an environmental decision—it is also one of responsible financial management. 

Further documentation is available in the Public Documents page

Rising Rates, Rising Costs — Can Council Afford Another $500,000 Every Year?

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has already approved a significant program of incremental rate increases over the coming years to help fund the rising cost of delivering existing infrastructure and essential community services. As shown below, general rates, water, sewer and waste charges are all scheduled to increase well above inflation over multiple years.

Importantly, these planned increases are based on Council's current financial commitments. They do not include the estimated ongoing cost of operating and maintaining a concrete pumped ocean pool at Oxley Beach, which independent estimates indicate could exceed $500,000 every year, before accounting for major storm damage, asset renewal, insurance, or future climate adaptation works.

Before committing the community to a new long-term financial obligation, it is reasonable to ask whether this additional annual cost represents the best use of public funds when Council is already increasing rates to meet existing infrastructure and service demands.