More than 350 people responded to The Leader’s poll, which asked if Tamworth needed a year-round aquatic centre.

The overwhelming majority, 90.45 per cent, responded ‘Yes’. 

Just under 6 per cent said Tamworth had other priorities, while only 3.65 per cent answered ‘No’.

The results reflect the feedback The Leader has received on social media.

It’s an issue that has been bubbling away in Tamworth for decades, and has again come into the spotlight as local swimming clubs say the region out-grew its current facilities 10 years ago. Mayor Col Murray said the overwhelming support from the community had brought the development closer to fruition and said the issue would be discussed after the Country Music Festival.

Preliminary estimates put the project at more than $20 million.