{
  "id": 11775348,
  "title": "'Forgotten' outback town faces scorching summer without a pool",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/forgotten-outback-town-faces-scorching-summer-without-a-pool",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T21:30:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-04/outback-town-walgett-loses-swimming-pool-ahead-of-hot-summer/107211758"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The small town of Walgett in western New South Wales is set to miss out on its annual swimming season as its Memorial pool remains closed, deemed unsafe and beyond repair. With temperatures regularly exceeding 40 degrees Celsius during summer, residents are feeling neglected and disadvantaged. The Member for Barwon, Roy Butler, has called on the state government to conduct an audit of local pools to prevent more closures. Walgett's mayor, Jasen Ramien, regretted the decision to close the pool, acknowledging it as one of the hardest he's faced. The council will instead invest in building a replacement pool, rather than spending up to $1 million on short-term repairs with uncertain longevity. Former Olympic swim coach Laurie Lawrence expressed concern that the bush regions could face a generation of non-swimmers due to aging infrastructure. The National Drowning Report 2026 revealed drowning rates are double for disadvantaged areas, with regional and remote residents being at higher risk. The Member for Barwon has urged the state government to prioritize pool maintenance and construction across the state, emphasizing the importance of these facilities as vital community assets.",
  "summary": "The pool in the western NSW town of Walgett will remain closed this summer, with council finding it was unsafe and beyond repair.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}