Henderson splashes $10 million on pool for northern Bellarine

PEOPLE power has prevailed once again, with the Liberal Government providing $10 million for a 50-metre outdoor pool facility to be located in the North Bellarine.

Liberal Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson said the budgeted funding would fully cover the construction of an outdoor 50-metre pool and membrane roof, change rooms and kiosk.

“This is an incredible win for these communities which were left with no local pool after the closure of the pool at Portarlington,” Ms Henderson said.

“I want to thank the many hundreds of people who signed my petition and demonstrated that people power’ really does matter.”

Ms Henderson said she trusted the City of Greater Geelong council would back this new facility, which would be a wonderful asset for the whole community, including thousands of primary and secondary school students who attended school on the Bellarine.

“While there is significant community support for this new facility to be located in Drysdale, the location and design of the pool should only be determined after extensive community consultation,” she said.

Bellarine resident Emily Kennedy, who drives to Geelong for a swim most days, has welcomed Ms Henderson’s funding announcement for a 50-metre pool on the North Bellarine “This will finally get us back in the swim and out of our region’s pool drought,” Ms Kennedy said.

“The whole community has been campaigning for a public pool on the North Bellarine for the past 15 years or so.

“We’ve experienced lots of frustration with the closures of all pools on the North Bellarine and all aquatic programs ceasing, including learn-toswim, school swim lessons, squads, hydrotherapy and community water exercise, it’s been hard to watch.”

Ms Kennedy said the City of Greater Geelong ran a pool in Clifton Springs that closed, and then there was the closure of the privately owned and operated Portarlington Pool. She said both were very popular and well-loved and used by the community.

“I drive to Geelong every day for a swim at Kardinia Pool, or various pools at schools, or Leisurelink,” she said.

“It’s a good 90-minute return drive, and it’s just not sustainable, many people in our region have dropped out of participating because of this.

“I spend more time sitting down driving to access the pool, than I do swimming in the pool!”

Ms Kennedy said she had tried swimming at the pool at Bellarine Aquatic and Sports Centre, but it was generally always too busy and not accessible for regular quality lap swimming.

“Swimming and water exercise is such an important beneficial exercise accessible for all agegroups in the community, it’s time it was accessible and sustainable for the North Bellarine community too.”

The need for a pool on the North Bellarine will be among topics raised at a “Candidates Forum” held at SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre on Saturday April 27 from 10am to 12pm.

DCSCA will run the forum in partnership with community associations in Indented Head, Portarlington and St Leonards.

All the candidates for Corangamite will be invited to speak and take questions from the audience.

Meanwhile, Ms Henderson also announced a total of $20 million for a Surf Coast aquatic facility, contingent on the Surf Coast Shire council agreeing to construct a 50-metre pool as part of the complex.

The funding was provided under the Community Sport Infrastructure Grants program.