MP calls Torquay rally to revive aquatic centre bid

A rally will seek to revive Torquay’s push for an aquatic centre, according to an MP who called the event.
The rally would follow Surf Coast’s council “badly letting down” the community last year when it failed to seek funding to build the facility, said Federal Member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson.
The shire set aside land for the centre but shelved the plan due to its $29 million price tag and ongoing maintenance costs.
Proponents have raised doubts about the project costing and council’s shire-wide survey on the facility, which linked the centre to increased rates.
Ms Henderson, a Liberal who faces Surf Coast councillor Libby Coker as Labor’s Corangamite candidate, said other municipalities had secured funding from higher levels of government for similar projects.
“Not only has the Surf Coast Shire voted to shut this project down, it has decided not to make it a priority project for Federal Election funding,” she said.
“Surf Coast residents have been badly let down by a council (that) failed to seek any state or federal funding for this project. In contrast, the City of Bendigo recently secured $19.9m for an aquatic centre, including $4.9m from the Turnbull Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund.
“It is disappointing that council did not even provide funds to progress detailed planning and design so that a new pool could be properly costed. The funding model put forward by council which imposed a 20-year special charge, or pool tax, on all ratepayers of up to $150 a year was divisive and inequitable and incredibly unfair on local residents.”
The aquatic centre was “vital for families, seniors, students and children learning to swim”, Ms Henderson said.
“That is why I am holding a community meeting to rally support for an aquatic centre on Sunday 15 May 2016 from 10.30am at the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club.”
“Please come along to our community meeting to show your support for an aquatic centre, to provide feedback or to raise any other issue that’s important to you or your family.”
Ms Henderson said she had also sent a survey to all residents in Torqauay, Jan Juc, Bellbrae and Bells Beach.
“I am determined to give every resident a say on this important issue.”