And, says Port Macquarie Community Aquatic Centre spokesperson Greg Freeman, government funding is available for the new project.

Mr Freeman said the existing pool was losing water through leakages, and was in urgent need of repair.

These points were critical to the committee's belief that the aquatic centre project was a separate issue to roads, libraries or tidal pools.

"The committee does not see the new aquatic centre as competing with other infrastructure projects," he said.

"An aquatic centre has the ability to generate revenue and continue to be a real social meeting and social gathering place.

"A new centre would build on the some 150,000 people who currently walk through the gate at the pool; we could attract more swim schools, and school-based carnivals and private school's swim squads to visit because of our strategic location."

Mr Freeman pointed to a Sydney Morning Herald column by senior lecturer in cultural and social analysis at Western Sydney University Penny Rossiter. 

"That column pointed out that outdoor pools are a real social meeting place,” he said.

"The Port Macquarie pool - over the years - is much more than a functional piece of infrastructure. When you look at the diverse range of users, it is just a great social meeting place.

"The vision of our group is to leverage this important social element; to expand it and make it an even better place."

He said that message was evident in the results of the committee's November 2017 survey.

Mr Freeman said the committee was looking to council to prioritise the project by July 1.

"I think this project is a great opportunity for council to borrow funds (against the reserves); on a basic level council puts in $7 million, borrow $7 million and source $10 million in government funding," he added.

The current pool was built in 1966.