Project Type: Refurbishment/upgrade
Project Location: Bombala
Funding: NSW Government Grant
What are we doing?
Council is upgrading the Bombala War Memorial Swimming Pool to ensure it remains a safe, reliable and enjoyable facility for the community now and into the future.
The project includes major upgrades to the pool structure and essential plant and equipment, supported by NSW Government funding.
Key upgrades include:
- Relining of the main pool
- New filtration, pumping and plant equipment
- Construction of a new balance tank and associated drainage works
- Improvements to water circulation, quality and overall pool performance
These works will significantly extend the life of the pool and improve safety and reliability for all users.
Snowy Monaro Regional Council advises that the Cooma and Bombala swimming pools are unlikely to reopen in 2026 as upgrade works continue to face delays.
Works recommenced in late May 2026 following the departure of the head contractor and significant progress has been made at both sites.
The project requires the supply, installation and commissioning of new filtered water treatment systems. The lead time needed for the supply of these materials is unavoidable, confirmed by quotes from the specialist filtration and plant room contractors Council has approached.
This means that Bombala and Cooma pools may not open in 2026. Council understands the frustration this news will cause and we share the community's disappointment.
'Council remains fully committed to completing these important upgrades. Additional funding has been allocated to ensure the remaining works can be delivered, and we will continue to keep our community updated every step of the way,' said Chief Executive Officer Noreen Vu.
At the extraordinary Council meeting held in Cooma on Thursday 9 July 2026, councillors committed an additional $1.2 million to support completion of the project and ensure the upgrades can be finalised as soon as possible.
Council thanks the community for their continued patience and understanding while these essential works are completed.
Council previously resolved to provide free entry to the Berridale and Adaminaby pools until the Cooma and Bombala pools are completed. This arrangement will continue, and we will keep the community informed with updates as we get closer to the swimming season.
What we’ve been doing this past month
- Held the first Bombala Pool Community Advisory Group meeting
- Contract builder engaged
- Plumbing rough in complete
- Site clean-up completed
- Pool lip reduction redesign process commenced
What we’ll be doing in the month ahead
- Continuing contractor quote evaluations
- Finalising remaining trade and supplier contracts
- Tiling RFQ issued
Work resumed last month on the pool upgrades at Bombala. As part of our commitment to providing monthly community updates, Council is reporting on what’s been done over the past four weeks, what we’re working on now, and what’s coming up.
What we’ve been doing this past month
- Contract plumber engaged
- Contract electrician engaged
- Plumbing work started
- Site clean-up completed
- Pool lip reduction redesign process commenced
- Community advisory group set up, terms of reference drafted
What we’ll be doing in the month ahead
- Continuing contractor quote evaluations
- Finalising remaining trade and supplier contracts
- Concreting
- Plumbing
- Electrical works
Council is providing an update on the Bombala Pool upgrade project following the May Ordinary Council Meeting, outlining progress to date and next steps as work prepares to ramp up on site.
What we’ve been doing this past month
- Held site inspections with trade contractors
- Sought contractor quotations for relevant trade packages
- Assessed contractor quotes received
- Engaged a concreting contractor
- Completed the construction management plan
- Completed the WHS site plan
- Completed the construction stakeholder communications plan
- Started work on the general project communications plan
- Installed site signage
- Completed a site material audit
What we’ll be doing in the month ahead
- Continuing contractor quote evaluations
- Continuing site clean-up
- Finalising remaining trade and supplier contracts
- Commencing plumbing and electrical works
Reopening targets and potential delays
Council’s target of reopening Bombala Pool by the start of the 2026/2027 swimming season (November 2026) is at risk.
This follows:
- The removal of the former primary contractor
- The contractor entering voluntary administration
- The need to appoint a specialist contractor for pool plant and filtration works
Council is currently contacting suitable contractors to assess availability and pricing. Timing will largely depend on contractor availability and equipment procurement.
Deadline extension and pool edge design
Council has been granted an extension by the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund to complete the Bombala Pool upgrade due to the contractor’s removal. As the primary funding body, the Fund must approve any project changes.
- The current pool edge design has been confirmed as compliant
- No further time extensions will be granted for redesign
- Council has engaged a specialist pool designer to assess whether requested changes could be completed within the revised timeframe
Partial test filling
Bombala Pool will soon be partially filled to confirm the new pool shell is properly sealed, also protecting the pool against potential groundwater pressure damage due to cold temperatures over the coming winter.
Council has been advised that the former primary contractor for the Bombala and Cooma Pool upgrade projects, Dalski Pty Ltd, has entered external administration.
Effective immediately, all matters relating to Dalski Pty Ltd should be directed to the Western Sydney office of Worrells, the appointed administrators for the company.
Additional funding has since been allocated to facilitate the completion of these projects, separate from work to resolve outstanding contractual matters. Council’s project team is currently working on contract engagements with local contractors and completing all necessary construction documentation, including work, health and safety documents, to shortly commence construction.
Snowy Monaro Regional Council will terminate the contract with the principal contractor and assume direct control of the delayed upgrade projects at Bombala Pool and Cooma Pool, after consideration of the situation at the Council meeting in Bombala on Thursday 16 April 2026.
Work will resume on the two projects as soon as possible. Approximately four months’ worth of work is required to complete the upgrades and renovations at each site.
Council is meeting with project subcontractors and suppliers on Friday 17 April 2026, at Cooma Council Chambers. Discussions will focus on a range of unresolved matters concerning their work on the project and how the changes being announced today will affect them going forward.
Works commenced on site in 2025 following planning, approvals and contract finalisation.
During early construction, unexpected underground conditions were identified beneath the pool and surrounding areas. These conditions were not visible during earlier planning and required further investigation and design work to ensure the pool can be completed safely and to modern standards.
As a result:
- The project has taken longer than originally anticipated
- Most major construction elements are now largely complete
- Council is working through the remaining steps required to safely complete and recommission the pool
In January 2026, Council experienced contractual issues with the prime contractor in relation to unpaid subcontractor claims and the schedule performance of the project manager. The prime contractor's project manager has subsequently been removed from the project, and this removal triggered a company ownership restructure and refinancing. The restructure and refinancing of the company is what has delayed the resumption of payments to the subcontractors and the works.
Council is continuing to work and facilitate a viable resolution between the prime contractor, subcontractors and suppliers in order to resolve the matter and move forward with the project.
Council's primary focus and objectives for the project are:
- All certified subcontractors and suppliers owed amounts are paid in full.
- The Pool project is completed for the community.
- Minimise liabilities in terms of warranties and maintain the defect liability period.
Council continues to oversee the project closely and is focused on achieving a positive outcome for all involved, including the community.
This is a complex issue to resolve and requires patience to allow all objectives to be met and support our local construction industry.
What happens next?
Council’s priority is rectifying the subcontractor matters with the Prime Contractor, complete the remaining works and reopening the Bombala Pool as soon as it is practical to do so.
Why has the project taken longer than expected?
There have been three main reasons for the delays to this project, these are:
- Underground conditions cannot always be fully identified until construction begins. At Bombala Pool, addressing these conditions is necessary to ensure the facility is safe, durable and fit for long term community use.
- Contractor issues pertaining to subcontractor and supplier payments.
- Restructure of financing and ownership of the prime contractor.
Council understands the importance of the pool to the community and appreciates everyone’s patience during this project.