THE City of Whittlesea is facing a blowtorch on delivering the long-promised Mernda pool.
State Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage has tightened the screws in a push for the pool and to meet residents’ demands.
In a recent survey run by Ms Kathage, many respondents expressed their “frustration” that construction of the much-needed pool in Mernda is long overdue without any real progress.
City of Whittlesea has been working on plans for a pool in Mernda since 2011, and formally approved the project in 2021, stating that: “We heard that residents want 50-metre lap swimming, warm water exercise programs, water play and learn-to swim areas in the proposed facility … We’re delighted to bring that vision to life in the future Mernda facility …”
Despite this, the council’s draft budget includes no progress on the pool, putting its future at risk.
Ms Kathage said the State Government has committed $30 million in total to the Mernda Regional Sports Precinct, including $10 million specifically set aside for the pool. The remaining $20 million has provided funding for the new stadium and associated works. She called on the council to commence detailed planning and costings for the pool and “not to hide behind an outdated business case”.
“We know that the stadium is being delivered for half the price of the original business case. So when council use that same business case to say we can’t afford the pool – I say rubbish.”
Ms Kathage said: “My community has told me loud and clear that they want a pool in Mernda. The State Government has already put $10 million on the table for this project, funding that’s ready and waiting.”
“The funding is there. The need is there. The only thing missing is the council’s commitment towards the project.
“Families shouldn’t have to drive half an hour just to teach their kids to swim or for older residents to do hydrotherapy. The council needs to listen to its own community and confirm that the pool is going ahead.”
Asked by the Review for a response to Ms Kathage’s comments, the council said work is now under way on the next stage of the regional sports precinct in Mernda, marking an important step in meeting the growing demand for accessible, high-quality sporting facilities across the City of Whittlesea.
Stage 2 of the project will deliver a modern indoor stadium featuring four multipurpose courts, alongside outdoor netball courts equipped with lighting. These facilities are designed to support a wide range of community sports and activities, creating more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, particularly women and girls to participate.
A mix of funding sources is vital to deliver a project of this magnitude. The overall business case identified a required budget of $180 million. The endorsed financial modelling is based on $80 million of funding contributions from other levels of government to support the council’s investment.
In total, council has received $31.5 million in state and federal government co-contributions, with a promise of a further $10 million. This leaves a shortfall of $38.5 million from the required $80 million of co-contributions required in the initial business case.
Given the substantial financial investment required to deliver this project, and its considerable impact on council’s overall financial position, it has been structured for staged delivery, to be implemented progressively as funding becomes available.
A report seeking council consideration of funding for the leisure and aquatic component of the project is scheduled to be presented before the end of the financial year.
Mayor Lawrie Cox said: “People across our community have been telling us they’d love to see more aquatic facilities, whether that’s a new pool in Mernda, something in Wollert, or upgrades to the existing pool in Whittlesea. We hear that clearly, and we understand how important these spaces are.”
“At the same time, aquatic centres are major investments. While we’d love to deliver everything at once, we need to balance these ideas with what we can realistically afford.”
“When we look at projects like the Mernda Regional Sports Precinct, we take a big-picture approach, thinking about what the community needs now and into the future, and making sure we plan carefully, and our approach is fiscally responsible.”
