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Chelsea • Mordialloc • Mentone
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KINGSTON Council representatives with Labor MPs and locals at Jack Grut Reserve. Picture: Supplied
REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Andrew Hurst, Ben Triandafillou ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@baysidenews.com.au Web: baysidenews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 5PM ON MON 23 MAY 2022 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION: WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2022
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Mordialloc pool plans moving forward
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KINGSTON Council is moving ahead with the purchase of a site in Mordialloc to build a new swimming centre on. A parcel of land at 1-7 Wells Road in Mordialloc will be the home of the aquatic centre, Kingston Council says. In December last year council executed an option deed for the land worth $14.6 million. The future pool site is across the road from Jack Grut Reserve. Council began investigating options for a new pool location after structural issues forced the closure of Don Tatnell Leisure Centre in 2020. At a recent meeting, Kingston councillors voted to proceed with the purchase. Kingston mayor Steve Staikos says that a new aquatic facility will
“provide facilities that are more sustainable, accessible and environmentally sensitive than ever before”. “It’s right in the heart of our city and it’s ready to become an asset for all ages. From learning to swim, building strength in the gym, practicing your butterfly, to warm water exercise and rehabilitation, our aquatic and leisure centre will be able to cater to you,” he said. A report prepared for Kingston Council last year read that the total cost of building a new aquatic centre could be between $40 million and $50 million (“Preferred site for new pool revealed” The News 19/1/22). Kingston councillor Cameron Howe is concerned that the budget for the project could blow out further.
“The pool will leave a big hole in the ground and an even bigger hole in the council’s pocket, putting the council into significant debt for a service running at a loss, which many ratepayers would be unaware of including any risk of delays in ordinary capital works programming,” Howe said. “Without a business case or project operational costs, the decision to spend $14.6 million plus GST on a new site displayed poor discipline in business.” The federal Labor opposition has pledged $20 million towards the project if it wins this weekend’s election. To view plans for the project and make a submission visit yourkingstonyoursay.com.au/aquatic-facilityplan Brodie Cowburn
Works continue near you and there will be transport disruptions As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re removing 85 dangerous and congested level crossings, with 60 already gone. We’re also upgrading roads and freeways in Melbourne’s south to reduce congestion and improve travel times to make your journey safer and easier. Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions 1 to 2 Jun
Frankston Line
Caulfield to Mordialloc
Road disruptions: Closed roads and lanes Ongoing
Closed between Watson Grove and Huntly Street
FrankstonDandenong Road, Dandenong South
Until 30 May
Bridge closed between Princes Highway and Kirkham Road
South Road, Moorabbin
In May
Lanes closed at times at Bignell Road
MTIA7713
Station Place, Glen Huntly
Find a detailed list of disruptions at bigbuild.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
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Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
18 May 2022