Not one of the candidates identified the two primary reasons why Port Macquarie should have a tidal pool.

Port Macquarie Hastings is the fastest growing coastal region between Newcastle and the Tweed.  We already have a significant older population, and this demographic is forecast to further increase as the 'Baby Boomers' retire to the region.  The message is that most older residents won't venture into the surf for fear of getting knocked over and injured. Most older people will never go to a public swimming pool because it is chlorinated and possibly urinated.  Much safer, cleaner and healthier in a naturally recharged tidal pool.

If council can't afford to move this issue forward, then it should at least aggressively lobby the NSW and federal governments for funds, and bring community groups such as Lions and Rotary into a partnership to get a tidal pool built.  It is shameful that for our 80k population, we haven't got a tidal pool, but Forster with a population of 20k, and Black Head and Hallidays Point with a population of 5K, have managed to build and maintain tidal pools.

At the mayoral election I'll vote for the candidate who unequivocally commits to make it happen (in my lifetime).

Colin Eldridge, Port Macquarie