THE feedback has been overwhelming - Port Macquarie wants a tidal pool and they won't rest until they get it.
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Since a campaign began on Facebook less than a week ago, thousands have responded with almost all in favour of seeing Port Macquarie's first tidal pool, also known as an ocean bath or ocean pool, created.
Close to one hundred people turned out at Town Beach on Sunday afternoon as a show of support with a petition to be presented to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.
The petition currently has 246 signatures but was only created on Tuesday. Once it hits 10,000 signatures it will be presented to council.
Ocean pools date back to the convict era in Australia with Newcastle's Bogey Pool being constructed in 1819 by convicts.
They were generally paid for through community subscriptions or were government funded. There are currently around 100 recognised tidal pools in NSW.
It is no easy task, with Mayor Peter Besseling pointing out last week that the Port Macquarie coastline is recognised as a site of geological significance.
"Even if the practical elements such as location, access, parking and funding were to be resolved, the environmental impediments have been described as insurmountable," he said.
Even so, the community has responded with force and it appears they won't give up without a fight.
Forster plays home to our closest ocean pool, known as The Bull Ring, which was officially opened on January 18, 1936.
It is 56 metres along the northern wall, 50 metres along the eastern wall and 69 metres along the western wall.
The Port News asked Great Lakes Council's manager of parks and recreation Services Andrew Staniland about the maintenance, costs and affects of a tidal pool.
"Estimating the maintenance costs of tidal pools is extremely difficult as the harsh coastal environment frequently causes damage to constructed assets," he said.
"Pressures put on these tidal pools from the oceanic and river currents drastically change the daily requirements for upkeep.
"It's not easy to compare the costs of other tidal pools as every location will have differing forces exerted on the asset."
An elderly lady, who wished to remain anonymous, grew up in Port Macquarie before leaving in 1964 and returning many years later.
"During my time I remember fondly of Jack Hennessey," she said.
"He was the president of the Port Macquarie Surf Life Saving Club and was behind a big push to get a pool at Flynns Beach.
"I remember him being laughed out of a council meeting for suggesting such an idea, so that shows you how long the town as been longing for an ocean pool as it was 52 years ago."
There were plans approved for a tidal pool to be constructed at Flynns Beach many years ago, but seeking state and federal funds fell through, as did the approval.