ALP announces full funding of Parramatta War Memorial pool replacement
In a major announcement Labor have pledged to fully fund the Parramatta pool replacement if elected in March next year.
Parramatta
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The Opposition has promised $75 million to fund a Parramatta replacement pool if elected in March.
Opposition sports spokeswoman Lynda Voltz said a Labor government would pay for a new 50m outdoor pool, a 25m indoor pool and a water polo pool.
“A future Labor Government will not stand by and see the people of Parramatta treated with such disregard; Labor will take responsibility for the building and design of a new complex,” Ms Voltz said.
Parramatta Council and the State Government have continued to tussle over funding since the demolition of the Parramatta War Memorial Pool in April last year.
The government tore the pool down to make way for the new Western Sydney Stadium but only agreed to contribute $30 million towards replacing it.
A five-month long inquiry into the Berejiklian government’s multibillion-dollar stadium strategy called the decision a “failure”.
“The (public works) committee finds it difficult to understand why the government will not commit to fully funding the project to mitigate the impacts of the pool’s demolition on the local community,” the report said.
“Provision of a new facility is the least the government can do to compensate the people of Parramatta.”
Ms Voltz was part of the committee, which also included representatives of the Liberal Party, the Greens, Nationals and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers’ Party.
The committee said the pool, to be built at the old golf course at Park Pde, should have been operational before the War Memorial Pool was demolished.
Greens councillor Phil Bradley said the report was vindication for residents.
“The Parramatta Greens will campaign all the way to the March State election for the inquiry’s recommendation as the government’s reckless decision to demolish our pool, which was paid for by the local community, has indeed severely disadvantaged the people of Parramatta,” Cr Bradley said.
The replacement pool is expected to be built by 2020 but a design is yet to be chosen.
COUNCIL CALLS QUITS
Parramatta council have moved a motion to stop the pool development until it is fully funded by the State Government, in a move Our Local Community councillor Michelle Garrard said was like “holding the residents hostage”.
“We have two major political parties playing politics with the community,” Cr Garrard said.
“We should continue working towards the pool and let state talk about that in the background, we should not be involved in a funding battle on how to get the pool.”
The motion to put the pool development on hold until the funding is secured was moved by one vote, splitting the chamber.
“I’m appalled by the major parties,” Cr Garrard said.
“This is an investment into the city and I’m outraged in the delays that this new motion will cause.”