THE City of Whittlesea has made its biggest election call ahead of November’s count, calling on its residents to ‘make a splash’ and call on government funding to build the proposed aquatic and leisure facility in Mernda.
Earlier this year, Council endorsed a much-talked about plan to deliver the facility at Plenty Road at Mernda’s sports precinct currently under construction, committing to funding 50 per cent of a proposed $85 million cost.
That has followed on-again, off-again discussions spanning the best part of 20 years, with the end result at the August Council meeting deciding on a 25-metre pool and full-scale gym to be built, beating out other options, which included a $122 million proposal for a 50-metre Olympic-sized pool and a $65 million budgeted pool.
Currently, the City of Whittlesea council has received a commitment of $10 million for the pool, but says it is well short of the $32.5 million it will still need to put the facility together.
The proposal includes a multipurpose 25-metre pool, warm-water pool, learn-to-swim pool, a spa, sauna, steam room, gymnasium, fitness and wellbeing spaces, a cafe and supporting amenities.
The campaign, named ‘Make a splash, match our cash’ is calling on residents to engage with Council’s advocacy, sharing stories about how a pool would change their lives, families and communities.
Council has opened up a ‘Make a splash’ page on its Engage page. It says it will also be making community stops in coming weeks at local events, where residents will find out more about the project and show support for the campaign.
On the website, Council says community support would boost the case.
“Council needs your support to advocate for government funding to help build a new aquatic and leisure facility in Mernda,” they wrote.
“We have committed to funding 50 per cent of the project, but we need the state and federal governments to contribute their fair share to make it happen.
“By sharing your story, you can help show the state and federal governments why this facility matters to you, your family and our growing community.
“Your stories will help strengthen Council’s case for funding and demonstrate the strong local support for an aquatic and leisure facility in Mernda.”
The website is asking for people to show how an aquatic and leisure facility would benefit them, and how it would be used for swimming lessons, fitness, recreation or relaxation.
City of Whittlesea Mayor Councillor Lawrie Cox said it was important to talk about the benefits.
“The residents of Mernda and surrounds have been campaigning for a long time for a public pool,” he said.
“The Council have decided that we can commit to up to $42.5 million towards an aquatic and leisure facility within our budget processes. Now it’s time the state and federal governments made a splash and matched our cash.
“We’re asking residents to add their voices to the campaign and send a clear message that our community deserves this investment.
“With the Victorian state election approaching, all parties and local candidates should know that our community expects the funding to be made available to deliver this project.”
Spokesperson of the Mernda Needs A Pool – No More Delays community action group, Danielle McKenzie, says however that there is a question around whether the project will get built, having written to State Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence, and receiving no indication for a third time that additional funding will be provided.
“After close to 20 years of waiting for an aquatic centre in Mernda, I think there is now a genuine concern within the community that this project could once again be delayed or pushed aside simply because nobody is prepared to step up with the funding required to deliver it,” she wrote.
“What makes this particularly frustrating is seeing significant sporting infrastructure commitments being made elsewhere.
“Our northern growth corridor continues to expand rapidly, yet we are still fighting to secure enough funding just to get our long-promised aquatic centre built. And on top of that, the current Council plan has been reduced to a 25m pool, despite a 50m pool previously being endorsed in 2022.
“So once again, Melbourne’s north continues to miss out on the infrastructure our growing communities need.
“Our campaign has always said this is not just a pool for Mernda. This will be a REGIONAL facility that will service communities right across Melbourne’s growing north.
“With the Victorian election approaching, I think there is a very fair question for all sides of politics – who is going to step up and fund the Mernda Aquatic & Recreation Centre – and what will it actually take for Melbourne’s growing north to receive the sporting and aquatic infrastructure it needs?”
Ms McKenzie also said further work needed to be done to explore the possibility of a 50 metre pool being delivered within the proposed $85 million budget.
“We absolutely support Council advocating strongly for the funding needed to finally get this project moving,” she wrote.
“We still believe further work needs to be done around the design and long-term capacity of the facility, including properly exploring whether a 50m option may still be achievable within the $85 million budget through more sustainable, efficient design and alternative construction approaches.
“But right now, securing the funding is key. Without the required State and Federal investment, none of those discussions can progress.”
