Joint media release with the Hon Janelle Saffin MP
The Albanese and Minns governments are jointly investing $15 million to deliver a new swimming pool for the Wingham community, replacing the facility that was irreparably damaged during the devastating May 2025 floods.
Funded under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the investment will enable the MidCoast Council to reconstruct the Wingham Memorial Pool while incorporating measures designed to strengthen the facility against future severe weather events and natural disasters.
The original pool suffered extensive damage when Cedar Party Creek reached record flood heights during the May 2025 floods. Fast-moving floodwaters caused significant cracking to the pool floor, and subsequent engineering assessments determined the facility could not be repaired.
The joint $15 million commitment from the Australian and NSW governments will ensure local families, swimmers and sporting groups can once again access a modern community facility that is built to withstand future challenges, while supporting the long-term recovery and resilience of the Wingham region.
The investment is part of the ongoing recovery and reconstruction effort across the Mid North Coast following the May 2025 severe weather.
To date, more than $166.8 million in reconstruction funding has been approved to restore essential public infrastructure across six Mid North Coast councils, supporting 168 projects to repair and rebuild roads, bridges and other community infrastructure.
This includes major projects such as Bight Bridge in the MidCoast Local Government Area, along with extensive road restoration and landslip repair works across the region.
Since the May 2025 floods, $667 million in joint recovery support has been committed across immediate assistance, clean-up and long-term rebuilding.
$56 million in targeted recovery programs is also moving into delivery across the Mid North Coast, supporting environmental restoration, community recovery and resilience, mental health and legal services, small businesses and Aboriginal-led recovery.
This delivery phase includes:
- $26.2 million for large-scale clean-up activities, including river-based clean-up, hazardous waste removal and extraordinary waste management, delivered in partnership with the Environment Protection Authority.
- $8.8 million for environmental recovery and restoration activities, including the ecological restoration of sensitive riparian areas, coastal recovery works and restoration of the Manning River spur wall.
- $5.6 million in additional grants for eligible small businesses and non-profit organisations with significant recovery costs
- $4.17 million for locally based mental health and psychosocial support
- $1.9 million to expand free legal assistance through Legal Aid NSW’s Disaster Response Legal Service
To date, 614 business have been paid a total of $9.7m with a further nine claims moving through the review process.
For more information visit nsw.gov.au/east-coast-severe-weather-may-2025
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain:
“By rebuilding the pool with stronger resilience measures, we’re not only restoring what was lost in the 2025 floods, we’re helping protect this important community facility against future severe weather events.
“Wingham Pool is a much-loved community asset, and this investment will ensure local families can once again enjoy a modern, safe and resilient facility for years to come.
“This funding demonstrates our commitment to supporting communities through recovery and reconstruction, while investing in infrastructure that helps regions emerge stronger after disasters.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Recovery and Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin:
“Having stood on site at Wingham Pool and seen the damage firsthand, I know how deeply the community wanted this fixed and how hard they’ve fought for it.
“Swimming pools are the heart of regional towns in summer, and this $15 million investment isn’t just about restoring a beloved local spot – it’s about building it back stronger so it can withstand future floods.”
