The replacement pool and facilities at the John Houston Memorial Swimming Pool will be constructed free of debt to Council and at minimal cost to ratepayers.

The $8.067 million project received a further boost of $4.191 million last week following Council’s successful funding application under Round 2 of the Growing Regions Program.

Cr Carol Oataway has been re-elected mayor of Hay Shire Council.

The mayor retained her seat after surviving a challenge from newly elected councillor, John Perry in an open vote, 5 – 3.

Hay has a new deputy mayor after a tightly contested election between Crs Martyn Quinn, Lionel Garner and Geoff Chapman.

The three-way vote concluded with five votes in favour of Cr Quinn, pictured with Mayor Oataway.