Dence Park masterplan: Epping pool one step closer
A $18.5 million revamp of Dence Park and the Epping Aquatic Centre is one step closer to being realised after council endorsed the master plan and agreed to include the development on a list of ‘shovel ready’ projects.
Northern District Times
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A $18.5 million revamp of Dence Park and the Epping Aquatic Centre is one step closer to being realised.
It comes after a council motion was carried endorsing the Dence Park Masterplan Implementation Plan which includes the aquatic centre.
The long-awaited pool and park upgrade will see a transformation of a five-hectare bushland site on Epping’s Stanley Road.
The resolved motion included allocating $12 million from the Epping Stronger Communities Fund reserve towards the aquatic elements of the plan and a further $6.5 million, breaking down to $1.5 million from the Epping Stronger Communities’ Fund and $5 million from Hornby LGA Land and Epping Town Centre plan.
Council also resolved to include the Dence Park Masterplan on a list of ‘shovel ready’ projects in the hope of obtaining additional state government funding.
Save Epping Pool committee member Janet McGarry said “it was a long time coming” for the pool after it was under threat of being closed five years ago when it was under Hornsby Council.
Speaking to the The Northern District Times, Ms McGarry said the committee welcomed council’s resolution yet said there was still “a lot of work” to be done.
She said the committee supported the overarching masterplan yet had an issue with the 25m indoor people being a ‘learn to swim’ pool.
The Epping resident said learn to swim pools tended to be shallower and a multi-use 25m pool would allow for a wider range of water-based recreational activities including aqua therapy.
Ms McGarry said it was important for the state government to consider the pool as a ‘shovel ready’ project.
While she said there were enough funds at hand to build the pool she said there was a “question mark” on whether there would be a shortfall of funding for the upgraded pool amenities building including the reception and change rooms.
“You want to do both the pool and building developments at the same time,” she said.
“Now the pool is closed so we want to see work get started. It’s a good time to be getting on with the pool.”
Epping councillor Donna Davis said the Epping community had been calling for the pool’s refurbishment for years and said it was “important” that it was pushed ahead.
“It is so unique and has so much potential in this beautiful open space for existing and new residents of Epping as the population grows,” she said.
A Parramatta Council spokeswoman said, “The council’s list of shovel-ready projects is currently being finalised, however Epping Pool works is one of many important projects council is looking to nominate.”
“It will be up to the NSW Government to determine priority and funding allocations for those projects.”
Three-stage development
The Dence Park development will be taking place in three stages.
Stage 1 - Redevelopment of Epping Pool aquatic amenities and aquatic facilities, including a new eight lane 50m outdoor pool, new 25m indoor pool, new water play facilities, new ‘sky bridge’ access, an upgraded amenities building and enhanced spectator seating.
Stage 2 - Creating new formal passive recreational spaces including picnic facilities, gardens, seating, and creating new active recreational spaces including a new district playground
Stage 3 - Upgrading associated park ancillary facilities, including carparking, pedestrian pathways, amenities building and bushland conservation
At last month’s council meeting, Cr Davis called for the project to be listed as a ‘shovel ready’ project for the area.
“Given the current situation with COVID-19 and the state government call for shovel ready projects we feel this fits the criteria perfectly. We’re seeking council put it forward as a shovel ready project," she told council.
Yet councillor Andrew Jefferies questioned whether there was any assessment of this project compared to other priorities across the area.
Council staff member responded saying it was to be funded through funds dedicated to the Epping area. “It’s funded predominantly by community funding only available to some specific projects in Epping,” he told council.
He said it was also funded partly by Hornsby Council contributions which were available to Epping and that under the current funding agreement it was to be completed by 2022.
While Councillor Steven Issa said he had no issue with supporting the Dence Park Masterplan, he told council he had a problem with it being ‘fast tracked’ fearing it would take resources out of other council projects.
“To single this one out as a response to COVID because it was going to be delivered anyway. What’s the opportunity cost of doing that?” he said.
Yet Cr Davis said the intention of the amendment was for it to be put on a list of ‘shovel ready’ projects.
“I’m happy to include it on the list of shovel ready projects seeking additional state government funding,” she told council.
Councillor Bill Tyrrell, who put forward the motion along with Cr Davis, said now was a “perfect opportunity” to refurbish the pool during the current pandemic.
“Let’s get real. Our pool will be closed because of COVID-19 for at least 12 months until there’s a vaccine,” he told council.
“Now’s a perfect opportunity to rebuild that pool.”
Next steps
Next steps include detailed designs of the project followed by the lodgement of a development application.
The Dence Park project aims to be completed by December 2022.