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.<\/p>\n
Funding for an aquatic centre received bipartisan support at last year\u2019s 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\u2019s federal election.<\/p>\n
However, this week, Ms Henderson \u2013 who has campaigned for a Torquay pool at varying levels of intensity for several years \u2013 said Ms Coker\u2019s support for a 25-metre pool was \u201cinadequate\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis would be a massive boost for local schools, families and surf life saving and swimming clubs needing a proper swimming training facility.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In December, shire mayor Rose Hodge said the council would \u201crevisit the project at a time after the federal election\u201d.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince 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.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\u2019s state election. Last month, Labor candidate for Corangamite (and Surf Coast […]<\/p>\n