Henderson launches pool petitions

CORANGAMITE Liberal member Sarah Henderson has jumped back into the pool debate not just in Torquay but also on the Bellarine Peninsula, launching online petitions for pools to be built in both locations.

Funding for an aquatic centre received bipartisan support at last year’s state election. Last month, Labor candidate for Corangamite (and Surf Coast Shire councillor) Libby Coker pledged $15.3 million towards a $25 million centre with a 25-metre indoor pool if Labor won this year’s federal election.

However, this week, Ms Henderson – who has campaigned for a Torquay pool at varying levels of intensity for several years – said Ms Coker’s support for a 25-metre pool was “inadequate”.

“The widespread feedback I have received makes it clear that the Surf Coast needs a proper 50-metre pool suitable for high level competitions and training.

“This would be a massive boost for local schools, families and surf life saving and swimming clubs needing a proper swimming training facility.”

Ms Henderson again criticised Ms Coker specifically and the shire more generally for not doing more to create a pool, including voting in 2015 to stop all work on the project.

In December, shire mayor Rose Hodge said the council would “revisit the project at a time after the federal election”.

Regarding the need for a new pool on the Bellarine, Ms Henderson said the pool at Ocean Grove was at full capacity and the pool at Portarlington was closed.

“I am disappointed that the City of Greater Geelong does not have any adequate plans for a new pool for the Bellarine, which is desperately needed. With our region now the fastest growing in the country, it is essential we deliver more pool facilities for our region.

“Since the north Bellarine moved into the Corangamite electorate, I have been inundated with feedback about the importance of a new pool, whether it be constructed in Leopold, Drysdale or Portarlington.”