Hobart Lord Mayor will double $1.5m commitment, wants state govt to double their $3m offering

The Hobart City Council is lobbying the state and federal government to double funding commitments for a hydrotherapy pool in Hobart, after increased construction costs lead to a huge budget blow out. What the mayor wants.

Disability advocates Jenny Dixon from Speak Out Advocacy, Alyssa Gavlik from Disability Voices Tasmania, and CEO of Autism Tasmania Donna Blanchard are all concerned that the plan for a warm hydrotherapy pool at the Doone Kennedy Aquatic Centre wont come into fruition. Picture: Linda Higginson.

The Hobart City Council is lobbying the state and federal government to double funding commitments for a hydrotherapy pool in Hobart, after increased construction costs lead to a huge budget blow out.

Initially the pool was expected to come at a cost of $7m, but after the council went to the market, quotes came in at $14m.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the council would double its $1.5m commitment, and she hoped the state government would up its contribution from $3m to $6m.

“This is absolutely worth that small extra investment,” she said.

“It’s shovel ready, we’ve done all of the planning approvals.

“We’re really urging state and federal government to recognise if we don’t move on this project now, people will suffer.”

Ms Reynolds said the project was important for many.

Lord Mayor of Hobart, Anna Reynolds is concerned that the installation of a warm water hydrotherapy pool at the Doone Kennedy Aquatic Centre is uncertain. Picture: Linda Higginson.

“This would be a facility for all of Southern Tasmania,” she said.

“We know in Southern Tasmania at the moment there are limited facilities, it really is desperate.”

Disability Voices Tasmania CEO Alysse Gavlik said there was a huge demand for the hydrotherapy pool.

“We’ve recently had facilities close around Southern Tasmania that offered really good hydrotherapy services,” she said.

“All those people are displaced at the moment, they’re not accessing the health outcomes they need.

“We really need this project to go ahead … We’re an ageing population, we know exercise improves health outcomes.”

Autism Tasmania CEO Donna Blanchard said hydrotherapy pools provided a low sensory option for people with autism.

“This is about access to therapy but there’s also a big issue about inclusion,” she said.

”There’s no access and the cost of access is really high.

Liberal MP Felix Ellis said the state government would discuss the possibility with the council.

“We’ll work closely with HCC around pool funding, we’ve already provided $3m as part of that uplift, we’re keen to keep supporting the community,” he said.