The February 20, 2025 confidential MAAC report has now been released in redacted form. The document was considered by Moree Plains Shire councillors before redevelopment work at MAAC was stopped and Taylor Oval was investigated as an alternative.
For the first time, Moree residents can see much of the case put to councillors when redevelopment of the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre was stopped and Taylor Oval was put forward as an alternative in February 2025.
The confidential report considered by Moree Plains Shire Council on February 20, 2025 has now been released in redacted form. Listed as “Report By: Executive”, it shows estimated project costs had reached $28.5 million against an approved project cost of $29.3 million, some grant funding remained uncertain and concerns had been raised about existing infrastructure at MAAC.
The recommendation went beyond dealing with immediate construction problems. The report recommended Council stop redevelopment at the existing MAAC site and formally investigate relocating Moree’s aquatic centre to Taylor Oval.
The document reflects the position put to councillors at that time. It does not establish Council’s current plans for the future of MAAC.
Costs rise as funding remained uncertain
The MAAC redevelopment had an approved project cost of $29.3 million, including an 8.5 per cent contingency. By February 2025, estimated costs had risen by $2.4 million since December to $28.5 million, leaving $800,000, or 2.8 per cent, in contingency.
Restoring the contingency to 8.5 per cent would have created an estimated $1.2 million unfunded shortfall. The project budget also included $3 million in new Council borrowings.
About $17.2 million was expected to come from State and Commonwealth grants, but around $10.6 million was described as not guaranteed at that point. That included the $9.64 million Growing Regions Program grant announced in 2024, for which Council had not received the funding deed and was waiting for a decision on a requested change to the project scope.
There was also uncertainty over whether a $1 million NSW Severe Weather and Flood Grant could be used for the proposed kids splash play area.
Procurement was another pressure point. In December 2024, Council was still pursuing delivery at MAAC and authorised direct negotiations with a preferred contractor after earlier tender difficulties. By February, those talks had led to proposed extra costs that would create an unbudgeted cost to Council.
The amount, contractor’s identity and other commercial details remain redacted.
The recommendation marked a clear change in direction from two months earlier. In December, Council had authorised negotiations aimed at continuing the MAAC redevelopment. By February, the confidential report was recommending those negotiations and relevant works stop while Taylor Oval was investigated.
Concerns about the MAAC site
The February report also raised concerns about the existing MAAC site. It said Council did not have a full understanding of the condition and location of existing infrastructure, and that this had already caused unexpected construction and interface problems and was expected to create more.
The document also warned ageing infrastructure could continue to fail, leading to closures and further repair costs. Other issues raised included the ageing entrance, limited parking, proximity to the highway and railway, limited passive surveillance and what was described as a weak connection between MAAC and the Moree CBD.
Why Taylor Oval was proposed
Taylor Oval was presented as having several advantages. The document pointed to the site’s location close to the CBD, between Moree Public School and Moree Secondary College, next to the tennis courts and with more parking available.
It also said artesian water could potentially be piped from the existing MAAC bores to Taylor Oval. A purpose-built facility on a greenfield site could, according to the report, avoid some of the problems involved in connecting new works with older infrastructure at MAAC and could attract more contractors and create greater competition.
These were arguments put to councillors in February 2025. At that stage, the report did not contain a developed cost for a Taylor Oval aquatic centre or a cost comparison between Taylor Oval and continuing the redevelopment at MAAC.
What the move could have meant for MAAC
The February document also considered what could happen if Council eventually moved the aquatic centre elsewhere. It stated Council did not have the financial resources to sustainably operate two public swimming facilities in Moree.
Possible decommissioning of MAAC was then discussed if the existing site was ultimately abandoned. The document suggested the site’s history could potentially be recognised through a memorial, although the costs of decommissioning and any memorial would first need to be assessed.
That was an option discussed in February 2025, not a decision to close MAAC.
Taylor Oval and flooding
The report states Taylor Oval is within the Moree floodplain, with estimated one-in-100-year flood depths of about 1.2 to 1.9 metres. It proposed managing that risk by building the pools above or substantially above ground, with a Flood Impact Risk Assessment still required.
What the report does not establish
The released document gives a clearer picture of the case put to councillors, but it does not answer every question.
It does not establish that a new 50-metre pool could not technically be built at MAAC. At the time of writing, no document located by Moree Online News has established that engineering conclusion.
It also did not contain a developed Taylor Oval project cost that could be compared with the MAAC redevelopment estimate.
Council resolved on February 20 to stop relevant MAAC works and investigate Taylor Oval. NSW Public Works was not engaged until March 21. NSW Public Works later found Taylor Oval suitable to progress, subject to further investigation, design and approvals.
That assessment did not compare Taylor Oval with MAAC, determine which option was cheaper or conclude Taylor Oval was the best possible location.
The released report therefore gives the clearest picture yet of the case put to councillors in February 2025: rising costs, funding and procurement pressure, concerns about the existing site and a proposal to investigate Taylor Oval.
It also records the view at the time that Council could not sustainably operate two public swimming facilities. What the report does not show is that MAAC is now planned for closure.
