Council stops all progress on Parramatta replacement pool
A WESTERN Sydney council has decided to “do nothing” instead of planning construction for the city’s only publicly opened pool, causing a delay that could take up to 18 months to recover.
Parramatta
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- Council calls ‘no quorum’ after no shows at meeting
- Parramatta denied additional state funding for pool
IN A shock decision, councillors have voted to stop all progress on the Parramatta pool.
A late-night council meeting on Monday saw tensions running high as the councillors vetoed any development on the Mays Hill precinct, effectively ending all plans for city’s only fully public pool or aquatic leisure centre.
Liberal councillor Martin Zaiter said the choice was a mistake and would put a 10-month delay on the entire project as council rules state the plans cannot be revisited until 2019.
“I don’t think they realise what they’ve done,” Cr Zaiter said.
“The entire motion was lost and I’m actively trying to come up with a solution, but I’m not getting any help.”
Labor councillors led the charge to end the pool planning, calling on the State Government to pledge the full amount needed before a business case is complete.
The Parramatta pool was eight months behind schedule, with the council unhappy with the four designs submitted from the design competition; each surpassed the $75.2 million budget, and initially had a timeline for completion by June 2020.
The Parramatta War Memorial Pool was demolished in April last year to make way for the Western Sydney Stadium.
The placement of a new pool on the Westmead side of Parramatta Park and the funding was confirmed by Premier Gladys Berejiklian before demolition took place.
Our Local Community councillors Michelle Garrard and Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson backed a minute that allowed for the petition to the government for funding to continue while also progressing the design and lease negotiations, which was ultimately quashed by the majority.
“I’m disgusted,” Cr Garrard said.
“This is about the community, not party politics.”
Labor councillor Patricia Prociv voted in favour of stopping the progress and said it was a decision that would be in the best interest for the residents.
“The residents don’t want a fancy aquatic centre, they just want a pool,” Cr Prociv said.
“There is no promise from the state to fund our replacement pool, but Labor have a position, we will fund the replacement pool that is like-for-like.”
Labor recently announced they would fully fund the Parramatta pool in a “like-for-like” model, with opposition sports spokeswoman Lynda Voltz making the announcement without detailing the amount that would be offered.
The final motion, which ended the plans, was dismissed after 11-4 vote and a 10-5 loss for the amendment.
Parramatta state Liberal MP Geoff Lee countered this, saying the government had always made the commitment of $30 million for the replacement.
“We have 100 per cent said from the beginning that we would fund a like-for-like pool, with a $30 million commitment, we had a steering group to meet with the council, we passed legislation to allow them on Parramatta Park land and to move Wisteria Gardens to the park trust, it’s gone through cabinet, and now they are being misleading and dishonest.”
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Mr Lee also called the decision politically motivated and said councillors should “hang their heads in shame”.
“They don’t care about the community,” he said. “They have no problem funding a $140 million council chamber but one dollar out of pocket for the community is too hard. Residents should be demanding that they all resign.”
Mr Lee said he will now progress the decision of the pool over the heads of the council to Minister for Sport and Recreation Stuart Ayres.
“I’m angry they’ve chosen to... play these games,” Mr Lee said. “I have no faith in the council and will talk to the minister on how we can progress the pool without them.”