THE much-talked about future of an aquatic and leisure facility in Mernda is set to come under the microscope at the August City of Whittlesea council meeting, with further reports coming through since the decision was deferred in June.
A community campaign – Mernda Needs a Pool – No More Delays! – will see members gathering outside Council officers at 5pm tonight. Supporters will wear blue, bring campaign signs and banners, before heading into the council meeting.
The officer’s recommendation says Council should endorse an option which includes a 25-metre pool, warm water pool, learn-to-swim pool, leisure pool play area, spa, sauna, steam rooms, fitness studios and a gymnasium, estimated to cost $85 million subject to future cost escalation.
The officers also recommended to resolve the project proceed to delivery when 50 per cent of the project cost is secured through external funding.
Campaign spokesperson Danielle McKenzie had mixed feelings, saying it was nice the centre was finally moving forward, but was disappointed about the recommendation.
“I’ve been reading through it, trying to get my head around it all. I guess we are pleased that the aquatic centre seems to be finally moving forward, but we’re disappointed that the recommendation has retracted back to the 25-metre pool, rather than the 50-metre pool,” she said.
“The whole reason why we’re advocating for 50 is that our region simply doesn’t have one. A 25-metre pool doesn’t fix that problem, so our schools, swimming classes, swimmers and swimming carnivals would still have to travel outside the area to access a 50-metre facility again.
“This pool is supposed to be a regional facility. You wouldn’t build half a footy oval, so I don’t think you should build half a pool.
“The 25-metre pool in Mill Park is already at max capacity. It takes 25 to 30 minutes to get there most mornings, which isn’t ideal for a working mum, it creates a barrier for people with their fitness, but also, classes are booked out, you can barely get into classes there.
“In Whittlesea, the outdoor pool is tiny and only open during the summer months. It’s not a practical solution either.”
Ms McKenzie said it was a step back after Council endorsed a 50-metre pool in 2021.
“It’s full circle. We’ve gone down this path so many times in the past. Council already endorsed the 50-metre pool, as they acknowledged the need for it. It’s mind-blowing they’ve reverted back to the 25-metre pool. It’s such an obvious requirement, essential infrastructure that’s been needed in this area and it’s been promised to residents for 20 years. It’s part of the reason I moved here,” she said.
“The Council, when they endorsed the plans for the aquatic centre, including a 50-metre pool in 2021, people thought the project was moving forward and in the process of being built, which is why we started this campaign, because it disappeared off council priorities. We were tired of constant delays, talk and going around in circles.
“We can’t keep building houses in the north and not deliver community infrastructure to support the people within them.”
The discussion over the aquatic facilities is part of a bumper Council agenda for the City of Whittlesea meeting.
Also on the agenda is officer’s reports into data centres in the City of Whittlesea.
A big report on the agenda said the officer recommendation was for Council to note that officers submitted a formal objection to the Victorian Government’s Development Facilitation Program in 2024, and that Mayor Councillor Lawrie Cox write to the Victorian Government to publish the government’s Sustainable Data Centre Action Plan, and undertake a Victorian Parliamentary Joint Select Committee Inquiry into Data Centres.
