Katherine Aquatic Centre will get a $10m upgrade and a splash park
One of the Top End’s most loved pools is set to get a major cash splash in a town “on the cusp of so many things”. Here’s what else the could be coming to Katherine.
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One of the few places to take a safe saltie-free dip in the Big Rivers region is set to undergo a $10m upgrade.
The cash will be splashed on the Katherine Aquatic Centre to upgrade the 40-year-old facility and add a spray pool.
Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour travelled to Katherine on Sunday to reveal details of the cash splash, which was committed to in the recent federal budget.
“Having access to an upgraded aquatic centre is paramount to any community, especially for our young ones to learn how to swim which will be a critical skill for the rest of their lives,” Ms Scrymgour said.
“The recreational and physical aspect that the refurbished centre will provide for Katherine cannot be understated and I look forward to the development of this facility.”
Katherine Mayor Elisabeth Clark said a project plan now needed to be developed.
“I think it is wonderful that the election promise has been honoured and Katherine will get a much-needed upgrade to our 40-year-old facility,” Ms Clark said.
“An aquatic centre is an important piece of community infrastructure anywhere you go but for us, in the Top End with our warm climate, it provides relief, recreation and exercise opportunities.
“It will go through a process which includes looking at costings and having community consultation to give residents a chance to provide their thoughts and feedback.
“We will also need to manage our expectations of what $10m will get us.”
In a recent interview with the NT News, Ms Clark said her council had big plans for the town.
“Katherine is on the cusp of so many things,” Ms Clark said.
“We have recently developed a five-year strategic plan, which is an exciting document.
“The development coming into Defence and all our different industries – cotton, the Beetaloo Basin, Mount Todd – means there is so much happening in the town.”
An all-weather multi-purpose sports arena, airport expansion and new urban transport options are some of the key projects on the strategic plan’s wishlist.
The document also details an investigation into “the maximum capacity of Katherine’s population growth” in light of housing challenges.
The town has a population of about 10,000 and a one per cent rental vacancy rate.
“One of our main challenges is still a shortage of housing, the waiting list is quite high and no public housing has been built for many, many years,” Ms Clark said.
“For us to attract (council) staff we actually have to lease places for staff members to stay – we’ve had to put them up in a caravan park before.
“When you’ve got development happening it's a priority to get more money for housing.”
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Originally published as Katherine Aquatic Centre will get a $10m upgrade and a splash park
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