Loddon Herald 2 June 2022

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Vol 2 No 20 THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022 ISSN 2653-1550

LEGACY POOL TIP SWIM FUNDS COULD FLOW FROM GAMES By CHRIS EARL INVESTMENT in country swimming pools could be a legacy of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The State Government gave the hint on Saturday when announcing $30,000 for Loddon Shire’s new recreation outdoor space and aquatic strategy. Parliamentary secretary for sport Danielle Green said swimming pools were important for small communities and the strategy would “look at what the future might be”. Ms Green said: “We have spoken about opportunities in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games and what the legacies can be.” She said future swimming pools “might be a legacy.” Loddon Shire is expected to start development of the strategy from next month. Cr Gavan Holt told Ms Green at Saturday’s announcement in Wedderburn that there were challenges for the shire around recreation spaces. He said there were nine football and netball clubs in the shire and five local swimming pools that were valued by the communities. Cr Holt also pitched for possible leverage from the Commonwealth Games events that will be contested in Bendigo in March 2026 with Wedderburn Bowling Club having had preliminary talks on being part of Games activities. Country community swimming pools were a legacy of the

Cr Gavan Holt and parliamentary secretary Danielle Green at Donaldson Park on Saturday. LH PHOTO 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, including pools at Boort, Inglewood, Mitiamo, Pyramid Hill and Wedderburn. Mayor Dan Straub said in March that local swimming pool shells and their infrastructure were now up to 60 years old. “A concrete pool shell has a maximum life of 50 years and it would cost at least $3 million to bring each one up to modern standards,” he said. “That is well and truly out of the realm of local government. “Council wants to see the State Government commit to a dedicated rural pool fund to update and modernise facilities built

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when there was hype around the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. “We want that investment to keep pools open for our communities and for the safety of the community, keeping people out of channels and dams.” Concern has been expressed at Pyramid Hill and Mitiamo for the future of their pools after two COVID-interrupted seasons and irregular opening days last summer under new managers Belgravia Leisure. Saturday’s announcement by Ms Green, accompanied by Labor’s Ripon candidate Martha Haylett, was welcomed by Cr Holt and CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald.

Pub owners get extra 90 days OWNERS of Inglewood’s Royal Hotel have been granted another extension to make the historic building’s verandah safe. The latest extension from the magistrates’ court gives Jika Jika Land Pty Ltd until August 31 to do the work. Loddon Shire Council took action against the owners after issuing a building notice last year.

The hotel has been closed since late 2020. Parts of the footpath have been blocked by safety fencing. Council’s director operation Steven Phillips said a building permit application had now been received. Owner Stephen Prior has said the verandah will be restored, ditching company plans approved by council in March 2021 for its removal.


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