Elsie Lange
Hume council has welcomed Sunbury Aquatic Leisure Centre (SALC) funding pledged by both major parties should they win government in November, but an advocate fears the promises will only address “the tip of the iceberg”.
Last week, Sunbury Liberal candidate Simmone Cottom pledged $1.5 million to install a new all-ages and abilities waterplay park, as well as additional shade and seating areas, before Sunbury MP Josh Bull said Labor would inject $1.3 million for outdoor play facilities.
The total projected cost of the works is $3 million, to be co-funded by Hume council.
Sunbury resident Mel O’Neill, who has been vocal about the lack of recreational space and swimming lesson availability in town, said she welcomed the promises but proposed works would not address population growth-fuelled demand into the future.
“The much-needed outdoor toddler play space is the tip of the iceberg,” Ms O’Neill wrote to Ms Cottom.
“The SALC is not fit for purpose anymore and by the time our population expands with new developments, we will be on par with Craigieburn … we need a state government and a local government to plan for the next five years.”
She would like to see a purpose-built indoor learn-to-swim pool, space for public lap lanes when lessons are on and an indoor play space for all-aged children to practice.
Ms Cottom told Star Weekly residents had reached out to say more needed to be done and said she agreed.
“After speaking with staff at the SALC, they also have big visions and dreams, but funding has always been an issue,” she said.
“If I’m elected, I’ll be doing everything I can to ensure we do get funding and fix up our issues to make SALC the number one pool in the Hume council area, and even in the Sunbury-Macedon electorate.”
When asked about the $200,000 discrepancy between Coalition and Labor promises, Mr Bull said the $1.3 million built on the $2 million previously delivered for the Sunbury Warm Water Pool.
“I understand the amount sought by Hume council will deliver this new project in full, and If re-elected, we’ll do exactly that,” he said.
As of Tuesday, October 26, the waiting list for swimming lessons at SALC is 440 children long, reduced from 772 at the beginning of term four, according to Hume council.
Hume mayor Carly Moore said Sunbury was home to a growing number of families and pledges from both major parties were “a huge boost to encourage local kids to swim and keep active”.
“The addition of new water play areas, and the creation of additional swim programs will ensure the Sunbury Aquatic and Leisure Centre continues to meet the needs of our growing community,” she said.
