After more than 21 months of disruption, one of Moree’s defining attractions has reopened, marking a significant turning point for the region as long-delayed community assets come back online.
Mayor Susannah Pearse has hailed the reopening of the passive and active artesian pools at the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre on Thursday, 9 April as a major milestone for the Moree Plains.
“Today is an incredibly exciting day for our community,” she said.
“In the Moree Plains, much of our community pride is steeped in this land and our natural environment. Not just the black soil plains, but our Artesian water, from the Great Artesian basin, which has been part of our identity since artesian water was discovered at this site in 1895.”
The pool was free for the day, seeing a big crowd of locals and tourists enjoying a swim or the ever popular waterslide.
The reopening follows a $3.223 million redevelopment, jointly funded by the NSW and Commonwealth governments, alongside Moree Plains Shire Council.
Getting it done right
Mayor Pearse acknowledged the extended closure had been frustrating for residents, but said it was critical the work was done properly after years of recurring issues.
“Our team did their best to keep at least one hot pool open to the community whilst works occurred, which I think was a sensible approach. But I know it was frustrating to be without a fully functional facility for so long.”
Mayor Pearse also acknowledged the importance of the site to the Aboriginal community, being the site where the 1965 Freedom Rides ended their journey over 60 years ago.
“The pools at the MAAC are an integral part of our community,” she said.
“However, it was important that we got this right – we have had far too many instances at the MAAC of a job half-done that led to greater problems.”
Council’s Construction Project Manager David Mangelsdorf said the works involved substantial reconstruction, particularly of the passive pool.
“Around 70 tonnes of concrete were removed from the passive pool, allowing for a brand-new concrete slab to be poured in November, with further concrete then being poured on the pool steps and seating,” he said.
“In total, 95 cubic metres of concrete was poured in the construction of the passive pool over three pours.”
The pools, heated naturally from the Great Artesian Basin to between 38 and 41 degrees, are central to both community wellbeing and the local visitor economy.
“The love of artesian water and its thermal properties is a world-wide phenomenon. And we are just so very lucky to have it here, beneath our feet, and now, back for people from all over the world, or just down the road, to enjoy.”
She said the reopening comes at a critical time ahead of peak tourism, with flow-on benefits expected for local businesses.
Originally opened on 17 April 1923 to commemorate those who served in World War One, the hall was constructed at a cost of 14,000 pounds, with a further 3,000 pounds spent on furnishing the grand building. Renovations began in 2021 to bring the structure up to modern building standards.
Memorial Hall also to open later this month
The return of the artesian pools is also the first of two major reopenings this month, with the Moree War Memorial Hall set to reopen in time for Anzac Day.
“We are particularly thrilled to be able to reopen our Memorial Town Hall, built as a war memorial, in time for Anzac Celebrations,” Mayor Pearse said.
Mayor Pearse acknowledged the sense of loss felt in the community during the closures, and credited the Council team, and particularly General Manager Natalia Cowley, for driving the progress on these major projects.
“I know myself as a mum of three kids who haven’t had the pool or the opportunity to perform at the town hall that there is a real sense of missing out.”
“We’ve been missing the jewels in the crown, if you will, for a very long time,” she said.
“It is really due to our new General Manager and her personal commitment to see these things done that we have made such huge progress in a short period of time.”
“It is phenomenal that in just over a year, this place has been taken from a rubble of a construction site to what you see today.”
Progress made on new Olympic pool
The 50m Olympic cold water pool at the MAAC was originally included in the renovation works, but was unable to be reconstructed due to leaking water that made the ground impossible to build in. A new pool will be constructed at Taylor Oval instead. Progress has been made on this project as well, with Moree Plains Shire Council progressing plans for a new aquatic precinct at the Taylor Oval site in its March meeting.
Council will take a dual-track approach that will see heritage investigations and master planning undertaken simultaneously. The site is subject to Aboriginal heritage considerations, with a formal assessment being carried out by an independent archaeological consultant alongside community consultation.
Council said this approach is designed to avoid delays, reduce cost escalation risks and position the project to secure construction funding within the next two financial years.
The proposed precinct is expected to deliver a modern, accessible and climate-responsive facility, with staged development and long-term sustainability central to its design.
For Mayor Pearse, the reopening of the artesian pools signals broader momentum for the Moree Plains.
“Today demonstrates that we are a council that can – and will – get the job done.”
“And this is just one thing off our to-do list.”
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