50-metre Torquay pool gets some support

TWO Surf Coast sporting organisations have expressed support for Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson’s push for a 50-metre pool in Torquay, but the MP’s Labor opponent described the petition as “all talk and no action”.

Ms Henderson last week launched a petition calling for the pool in the proposed aquatic centre for Torquay to be 50 metres long instead of 25 metres.

It is the latest development in the long-running debate about the pool, and follows Labor candidate for Corangamite Libby Coker making an election commitment of $15.3 million towards a $25 million centre with a 25-metre pool, and state Labor pledging $10 million towards the project.

Last week, Ms Henderson unveiled a corflute about her push for a 50-metre pool and met with Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club president Aaron Green and Surf Coast Swimming Club secretary Stacie Bobele, who were both keen on the idea.

“Our club’s about aquatic safety, so access to a pool locally will obviously help more people learn to swim at an earlier age, which will keep them safer in the water, which is absolutely aligned to our club’s core purposes,” Mr Green said.

“50 metres is obviously ideal because it’s more versatile with the type of activities you can promote here.”

Ms Bobele said competitive swimmers needed a 50-metre pool.

“We’ve seen with Ocean Grove that’s it’s only a 25-metre pool and they’re chockers now; you can’t get lane space over there.

“We’re based at Leisurelink, we’ve got 20 registered swimmers at the moment and about 40 on our wait list that are waiting for the pool, so we could certainly fill a swimming club, that’s for sure.”

Ms Coker said Ms Henderson had “countless opportunities in government, including five federal budgets, to fund a public pool in Torquay”.

“Sarah is all talk and no action. She had to end her last pool campaign in embarrassment after she was unable to secure any funding from her government for the project.

“Sarah Henderson should make a bipartisan commitment to fund a public pool in Torquay, or stop wasting people’s time.”