City of Greater Geelong takes next step in $15.5m North Bellarine Aquatic Centre project, despite extra $20m offer from Labor MP

The construction of a controversial Drysdale pool has taken another step forward, with the City of Greater Geelong lodging a planning application to build the $15.5m outdoor facility. SEE THE NEW IMAGES

THE construction of a controversial Drysdale pool has taken another step forward, with the City of Greater Geelong lodging a planning application to build the $15.5m outdoor facility.

The city’s application provides the most detail yet for the ‘North Bellarine Aquatic Centre project located at the Drysdale Sports Precinct, including artist’s impressions and construction plans for a 575sq m single-storey entry pavilion, a 537sq m single-storey change pavilion and pool plant, a “spectator mound”, 61-space car park and a heated eight-lane 50m pool.

The planning application was lodged on August 27 and released for public notification this week – with the public feedback period ending on November 16.

Artist's impressions of the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre

The planning application comes despite Corangamite federal Labor MP Libby Coker’s recent election pledge that a Labor Government would commit a further $20m to the project if the city instead built an indoor facility.

The election pledge came despite the advanced planning for the existing form of project – expected to begin construction early next year – which is receiving a $10m funding boost from the current Liberal Federal Government.

Artist's impressions of the centre’s main building

Announcing the election pledge earlier this month, Ms Coker said it would give the city “an opportunity to take a breath and review the current tender process for an outdoor pool”.

“We have made this commitment at an early stage to ensure the city has the opportunity to build the aquatic centre the Bellarine community want, and we will ensure proper planning for the designs is conducted before construction commences,” Ms Coker said.

But, Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson – who lost the seat of Corangamite to Ms Coker at the last election – hit back at the MP and claimed the project was subject to a binding contract and moving “full steam ahead”.

“Labor’s underfunded and divisive plan – to throw a wrecking ball at a project under construction and tear up a funding agreement – is a joke,” Ms Henderson said.

Artist's impressions of the pool area

The Federal Government’s $10m commitment for the current form of the project came as part of an election commitment from Ms Henderson, with the City of Greater Geelong stumping up about $5.5m.

The city’s contribution came despite former mayor Bruce Harwood’s warning of “strong financial pain in the early days” of the project, despite the Federal Government funding.

“This pool in its current form will be very expensive to operate,” Cr Harwood said last year.

A city scoping study estimated annual operating costs would be about $580,000 for a seasonal heated pool, and $1m for a year-round heated pool.

The study also confirmed a need for a swimming pool on the north Bellarine, where residents in Drysdale, Clifton Springs, Curlewis, Portarlington and St Leonards have lower access to swimming pools than those in almost any other area in the municipality.

None are within a 10-minute drive of a pool, the independent study found.

Originally published as City of Greater Geelong takes next step in $15.5m North Bellarine Aquatic Centre project, despite extra $20m offer from Labor MP