Parramatta Pools needs a start date: Jodi McKay

Pushing for Parramatta Aquatic Centre and the second stage of the light rail to proceed are key issues Opposition leader Jodi McKay hopes will win back voters.

A leaked design of Parramatta Aquatic Centre after the council withdrew from the project.

• Cashed up council ready to splash out on pool
• Pool designs leaked

As Parramatta approaches its third summer without a swimming pool, Labor has demanded a start date on the project.

The pool was demolished in 2017 to make way for the $360 million Bankwest Stadium.

On a visit to Parramatta, Labor leader Jodi McKay and opposition sports spokeswoman Lynda Voltz called for the government to allocate funding.

“They can get plenty of EIS (environmental impact statements) for stadiums, they can’t turn a sod of dirt for Parramatta Pools, which they ripped apart,’’ Ms Voltz said.

The project has been in limbo after funding debates between Parramatta Council and the government.

In 2017, under a like-for-like plan, the government and the council each pledged $30 million to build the pool but the council withdrew from the project in October.

Swimmers at Parramatta Pools, which is now where Bankwest Stadium stands.

Talks have since stalled.

Parramatta state Liberal MP Geoff Lee hit back at the opposition’s claims and also blamed the council for its backflip to change their minds on funding the pool.

“The NSW Government will not tolerate councillors’ inability to make a decision and stick to it,’’ he said.

“It has already delayed the new pool’s construction.”

NSW Opposition leader Jodi McKay at Parramatta.

Mr Lee said the former golf course site at Mays Hill was the preferred option and Sports Minister John Sidoti was working with the council to deliver a pool.

“Let me assure you the NSW Government will honour our commitment to build a $30 million like-for-like replacement pool,’’ he said.

Last month, Parramatta Labor councillor Pierre Esber called for the “cashed up” council to step up negotiations and restart talks with Mr Sidoti after negotiations collapsed last year.

He said the council had $432 million in the bank and bonds, and $266 million cash at hand and should take the lead in funding the pool.

Mr Sidoti reaffirmed his commitment to start the project.

Liberal MP Geoff Lee blames the council’s backflip to change their minds on funding the pool. Picture: David Swift.

“The NSW Government has made a commitment to build a like for like replacement pool on the Mays Hill site,’’ he said.

A Parramatta Council spokeswoman said there were no negotiation updates between it and the government.

“Council is committed to working to achieve the best outcome for the community — an aquatic centre that meets the current and future needs of our growing population,’’ she said.

Ms McKay labelled the pool and a commitment to the second stage of Parramatta Light Rail key issues to woo back Parramatta voters.

“Parramatta is a seat we believe we can win and we’re not going to let Geoff Lee and (Transport Minister) Andrew Constance get away with weasel words so you’re going to see a lot of me in Parramatta.

“We’re going to put a lot of attention on these kind of issues.’’

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