A STAY of execution has been granted for Campaspe's seven outdoor swimming pools, which had been earmarked for destruction in a Shire Council review.
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Councillors voted unanimously on Wednesday night to not make any immediate decisions about closing the facilities and to instead consult the community and complete strategic plans for each town.
The Aquatic Services Review in the council's meeting agenda called for the councillors to vote on a proposal to close seven out of its eight pools in the next few years. The councillors instead moved an alternate motion to not make an immediate decision.
Lockington resident Kris Munro said the result was not a victory for residents who wanted to keep their facilities.
"It's 100 per cent a stay of execution," she said.
"In 2016 the council resolved to do a lot of strategic work and it has not been done. It needs to be done now."
Colbinabbin, Lockington, Rushworth, Stanhope and Tongala pools were recommended to be closed and decommissioned at the end of the 2021/22 outdoor pool season, in the proposal to the council last night.
The Kyabram and Rochester pools were recommended to be closed and decommissioned at the end of the 2024/25 pool season.
Several members of the public spoke at the meeting, unanimously declaring that the pools were important to the communities they served.
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