COROWA residents have indicated they would be prepared to pay more in rates to bankroll construction of a replacement swimming pool.
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The revelation has come in results of online and telephone surveys of a combined 1089 people conducted on behalf of Federation Council.
Consultants have recommended an outdoor 25 metre outdoor pool, learn to swim pool and splash pad at an estimated cost of $5.7 million to replace the town’s existing 50 metre pool which is 60-years-old.
But as part of the survey, Corowa residents only were asked if they were prepare to pay an additional $157 per year for an indoor 25 metre pool or $125 per year for a replacement 50 metre pool.
A majority of online respondents were prepared to back paying extra for both options, but support for the 50 metre pool option was stronger with a 76-24 split on a yes-no response.
The online indoor pool option was split 55-45 in favour.
Telephone survey respondents were divided 62-38 in favour of the 50 metre pool option and 52-48 against the indoor option.
Federation Council administrator Mike Eden said residents being prepared to more for a new pool had been the biggest surprise of the survey.
“This is a major decision for the new council to make and we have to do our best to make sure we get it right,” he said.
“While the survey results displayed strong support towards the option of a 50 metre outdoor facility as well as the option of an indoor 25 metre facility there were inconsistencies in many of the results.
“The survey did indicate a good level of support from Corowa residents who said they would be willing to pay more through their rates if council was to build either a 50 metre outdoor pool or 25 metre indoor pool.
“We will take that into account in the coming weeks.”
A final report and recommendation is expected to be presented at the December council meeting.
To pay for either the 50 metre outdoor or 25 metre indoor options, the council would need to apply to the NSW Government for another special rate variation on Corowa ratepayers only.
The 50 metre outdoor option came out on top in the online and telephone surveys when respondents were asked to rank their priority facilities.
Almost 70 per cent of online respondents backed the 50 metre outdoor option ahead of a 25 metre indoor facility (21 per cent) with just 4.4 per cent support for an outdoor 25 metre pool.
More than 60 per cent of telephone respondents also supported the 50 metre outdoor option with 36 per cent putting the 25 metre indoor facility on top.
