Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Sport Damian Drum was at Traralgon Outdoor Pool today highlighting the need for Government funding for a new public indoor heated pool.
Mr Drum was invited by local Members Russell Northe and Melina Bath to inspect the pool and listen to local constituents about the need for an upgraded Traralgon pool complex.
“This is an issue that has huge support in our community with a petition signed by more than 3,500 people from Traralgon and the wider Gippsland area and I plan on keeping up the fight to see this community get the indoor heated pool it desperately wants,” Member for Morwell Russell Northe said.
Prior to the 2014 election the Liberal-Nationals Coalition pledged $9 million to support Latrobe City Council’s proposal for a $30 million public indoor heated pool.
“The Andrews Labor Government has still not pledged any funding or support for upgrading Traralgon’s pool and it’s extremely disappointing to see a worthy local project over-looked,” Mr Northe said.
“Traralgon’s population is around 28,000 people and is the only town in all of regional Victoria that does not have a public heated indoor pool with a population of that size.
Member for Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath said the current 50 metre outdoor pool was opened over half a century ago and was outdated and underused.
“I know that other parts of regional Victoria have some fantastic indoor aquatic centres which are used all year round for teaching kids to swim, rehabilitation, fitness and competition as well as many other activities,” Ms Bath said.
“This is still an issue that is very much in the public eye here and it’s disappointing the Andrews Labor Government is yet to see the importance of this facility to Traralgon and the wider community.
“It’s great to have the Shadow Minister here to keep him up to date and Russell and I will continue to listen to our constituents and fight for state government funds for the Traralgon pool redevelopment.”
Community member Janette Brady said my belief is that local councils should provide and maintain community facilities that they own for their region. “This land is already owned by the council which would certainly save in costs should it remain in its current location,” Mrs Brady said.
“Given that we are a population of 28,000 residents and have no large water body for use all year round we are in dire need of an accessible public indoor heated pool.
“There seems to be strong community support for an upgraded facility with use all year round.
“The argument is now old and tired, we don’t need any more feasibility studies done or debate as to should we or shouldn’t we, this pool just needs to be built.”
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