Aquatic facility backed

By Cherie Donnellan
A PUSH for a public pool in Torquay has won the support of candidates for October’s council elections.
Merrin Wake, David Bell and Eve Fisher said they would push for the pool if they won election.
Their support follows the Independent revealing last week that Surf Coast Leisure Action Group would host a public meeting on the pool push at Torquay Surf Life Saving Club from 3pm Sunday.
The group has been campaigning for an aquatic facility since 2006.
Ms Wake, of Torquay, said “it’s definitely time” for council to develop a pool within the township.
“We have more and more tourists visiting the coast and using our beaches during summer. Our lifesavers could really utilise this facility for their training.”
Mr Bell, a Bellbrae resident who led a community campaign against residential development at Spring Creek, said an absence of a public pool was an “anomaly” for a town of Torquay’s size.
“There have been three inquiries since 1990s about the prospect of a pool and previously money seemed to be the problem,” he said.
“We have a chance now to look at this issue in a serious way.”
Mr Bell said he would place the issue “fairly high” on his priority list if elected to council.
Eve Fisher, a Jan Juc Greens candidate, said the pool would be a “boon for the town”.
She agreed with Ms Wake and Mr Bell that the facility must be a “community hub” with a gym and rehabilitation services.
“It needs to be viable,” Ms Fisher said.
“We have an ageing population, so we need programs like water therapy and physiotherapy and we also need swim classes for the kids.”
Surf Coast Leisure Action Group spokesman Tony Smales said he expected councillors including Mayor Brian McKiterick to attend.
“We’re also expecting (Liberal Corangamite candidate) Sarah Henderson and (Liberal South Barwon MP) Andrew Katos,” Mr Smales said.
“We know (Labor MP for Corangamite) Darren Cheeseman is unable to attend, and we’re waiting to hear from (Labor MP for Western Victoria) Gayle Tierney.”