“The MAAC, as we all now know it, is such an important part of our Shire’s identity. Bearing this in mind, Council is invested in ensuring that the facility delivers to its full potential for our local community and also our visitors,” Mayor Cr Humphries said.

“As owner of this community asset, Council is pursuing these proceedings to ensure the facility can realise its full potential as a major tourist attraction for the region,” Cr Humphries said.

“Given Moree is known as Australia’s ‘artesian water country’ it’s vital we make the most of this facility.”

Mayor Humphries said that despite the legal action, the top priority for Council and the MAAC Board was to ensure locals and visitors could continue to use the pools to their full extent.

“We are a local government authority and we take this part of our business incredibly seriously. As always, the health and safety of our pool users remains our top priority - I want to reassure everyone that the pools are open for business, operational and safe to use,” she said.

Monitoring, assessments and testing have been, and will continue to be, regularly completed by pool staff, council officers and independent bodies to ensure the pools meet the highest possible safety standards, she said.