Councillors this week attended a briefing of the Otium Planning Group draft report and are expected to review the full report on the project at the ordinary meeting.

The council meeting is scheduled for July 17.

Council is likely to discuss recommendations on how to go forward including site selection, a master plan and community engagement.

The council has come under heavy criticism from sections of the community about its level of communication in several key infrastructure projects, including the aquatic centre.

In an extraordinary step, the council issued a statement on June 25 tackling what it perceived was a "circulation of misinformation" about the aquatic facility.

Port Macquarie Community Aquatic Centre spokesperson Greg Freeman says the communication channels between the group and council have been kept open.

"Whenever we need information we can get it," he said.

"The only problem I have is that the process has taken so long.

"We met with Otium mid to late last year and were told that the draft report would be finalised and we would have access to that document.

"But we haven't seen that report yet," he said.

"Our concern is that larger infrastructure road projects (the orbital road) has distracted council from the aquatic centre discussion."

He urged council to bring back the priority and urgency needed for a project this important to the community.

Council has funds set aside to undertake an investigation and design for the aquatic centre while consultation work is continuing.

The construction phase of the aquatic centre has been categorised as a medium-term priority project in council's recreation action plan with completion slated for 2020-2025.

There are no costs associated with the construction of the aquatic centre, at this stage of the project.

Mr Freeman said the July council meeting is important for the direction the group will take.

"We will wait and see what happens at this next council meeting before our group decides on our future direction," he said.

"However our group has completed a survey, council has completed a survey, Otium has completed their report.

"The next meeting (we have with council) should be about site selection.

"The committee looks forward to continuing to work with council on this much-needed community project."

The finalisation of designs for a new aquatic centre in Port Macquarie is funded in council's 2019/20 operational plan, with the site selection and design expected to be complete by the end of June 2020.

Also making news:

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.