Council-owned company responsible for Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre operations goes into liquidation

Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre Ltd (MAAC), the public company operating the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre in Northern NSW, has gone into liquidation.

The notice of liquidation of the company, of which the Moree Plains Shire Council is the only member, was published on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) site on Thursday, the same day the Council received a confidential "legal update" during a closed extraordinary council meeting.

Information on the ASIC site states: "Notice is given that at a general meeting of the members of the Company held on 29 July 2021, it was resolved that the Company be wound up and that Morgan James Chubb be appointed liquidator(s)."

Advising that the company was facing a situation where no revenue would be coming in from the Centre’s operations while remedial works at the facility were taking place, the Council has today released a statement released, titled “Brighter future for Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre following closure”, it advised that “an independent engineering assessment commissioned by Council has identified structural faults in the asset that needs rectifying. Council will be undertaking remedial works across major components of the infrastructure which will result in sections of the centre being closed for different lengths of time. As a result, there would be no or limited revenue from the centre and no meaningful employment for MAAC staff while the proposed works are underway.”

The statement went on to advise “after careful consideration, on 29 July 2021, the Board of MAAC, and Council as its sole member resolved to voluntarily wind up MAAC and appoint Morgan Chubb of Clout Advisory as liquidator.

“It is important to know that the liquidation is a solvent winding-up because MAAC will be able to pay its debts in full within 12 months of starting the winding-up, noting that Council guarantees its obligations. This means that all staff will be paid their full entitlements, and creditors will be paid in accordance with their usual trading arrangements.

“The exciting prospect is that following the completion of the works, the Artesian Aquatic Centre will re-open better than ever, offering improved benefits to the Moree community. Council looks forward to providing updates as the works progress. In the meantime, Council will be exploring ways to minimise the disruption to the regular pool and gym users.”

MAAC, a public company limited by guarantee, has operated the aquatic and wellness facility since 2013. centre. The Council is MAAC’s sole member, owning the asset from which MAAC trades, underwriting its financial position, and ensuring it provides a valuable service to the Moree community.

The Council said it was looking forward to providing updates as the works progress. In the meantime, the council statement said it would be exploring ways to minimise the disruption to the regular pool and gym users.

Workplace relations law firm WilliamsonBarwick has been appointed to respond on its behalf to enquiries regarding the winding up of Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre Ltd (in liquidation).

Enquiries should be made to: info@williamsonbarwick.com