CORANGAMITE Labor federal member Libby Coker is confident her plan for a 50-metre indoor pool at Drysdale can still happen, despite work having already started on a 50-metre outdoor pool.<\/p>\n
The re-elected MP said the need for infrastructure for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will be partially held in Geelong, could provide an opportunity for a rethink on the project.<\/p>\n
The City of Greater Geelong has approved stage one of the North Bellarine Aquatic and Leisure Centre, which includes a 50-metre outdoor pool, at the Drysdale Sports Precinct.<\/p>\n
The $15.5 million works are jointly funded by $10 million from the former Morrison Government (pledged by then Liberal member for Corangamite and now Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson) and $5.5 million from the city.<\/p>\n
In October last year, Ms Coker announced Labor, if it formed government, would commit $20 million towards the project and reassess it so all available funding could be put towards a 50-metre indoor pool at the centre.<\/p>\n
Construction on the 50-metre outdoor pool started on April 28, but Ms Coker said last week that this did not mean her ambitions or her $20 million pledge were dead in the water.<\/p>\n
“My commitment to the community was an indoor pool. So that is what I’m striving to deliver, and I am hopeful that the council and the state government and federal government can work together to get that outcome.<\/p>\n
“But the minister (Labor’s new Infrastructure Minister) isn’t even in the role yet. I’ve got to sit down with the council and have a discussion with them.<\/p>\n
“So there is a road ahead but I’m confident that we all want what the community wants, which is an indoor pool. That’s what they want.<\/p>\n
“We know that; I’ve done significant surveying of the community and that’s what they want. They told me that on the pre-poll line on election day.<\/p>\n
“One thing that has occurred in the past six months is the Commonwealth Games, and that is a factor that I want to look at in relation to projects for this region as well, and how we could leverage off that and get some really great infrastructure for this region, too.”<\/p>\n
Days after Ms Coker’s pledge in October, Senator Henderson described it as a “cruel hoax”.<\/p>\n
She said stage 1 of the centre was “contracted, fully funded and proceeding full steam ahead” and that “I wish to assure Bellarine residents that Labor has no legal authority, under a binding funding agreement with council, to shut down construction of the outdoor pool or seize any of the Commonwealth money allocated to this project”.<\/p>\n
The unsuccessful Liberal candidate for Corangamite, Stephanie Asher, made a $20 million commitment in early April to build an indoor warm water learn to swim and program pool, a toddler pool play area, a gym and allied health services in stage 2 of the centre.<\/p>\n
Last week, Senator Henderson called on Ms Coker to match Ms Asher’s election pledges.<\/p>\n
“I trust that Libby Coker won’t attempt to stop construction of stage 1 of the North Bellarine Aquatic and Leisure Centre, which is now well under way,” Senator Henderson said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CORANGAMITE Labor federal member Libby Coker is confident her plan for a 50-metre indoor pool at Drysdale can still happen, despite work having already started on a 50-metre outdoor pool. The re-elected MP said the need for infrastructure for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will be partially held in Geelong, could provide an opportunity for […]<\/p>\n