Ms Butler is a driving force behind the formation of a new seven-person committee ‘which will breathe new life into the push’.

As well, two positive meetings with Mayor Peta Pinson have given new impetus to the campaign, she says.

“Following preliminary discussions with council, we have formed a community-based committee and have met a couple a couple of times already,” Ms Butler said.

“The committee has some great ideas, mostly about how we can meet the challenges of funding options without council and ratepayers bearing those costs.

“We are exploring a number of opportunities in that regard.

“Our committee, and the wider community, are also following, with considerable interest, the outcome of Ballina’s push for a tidal pool. Their committee is a bit further advanced than us and they have secured funding for a feasibility study.”

Ms Butler said the local committee was ‘following what happens in Ballina so we don’t hit the same issues’.

The group has also ‘touched base’ with Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams to discuss possible state grants.

Ms Butler said she was feeling confident about the future of a tidal pool in Port Macquarie.

“We have a preferred site – at the southern end of Flynns Beach – although there is also discussion about an option at Town Beach,” she added.

Ms Butler said the committee was ‘more optimistic about a tidal pool’.

She said there were many benefits to an ocean tidal pool.

“Anyone who has experienced swimming in an ocean tidal pool especially as a child has such fond memories for life,” she said.