MARCH 20, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
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We need to work towards funding
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- Sanjay Manivasagasivam
Also planned is a $20.35 million expansion of Bayfit Leisure Centre at Altona North. Laverton Swim and Fitness Centre would be replaced with a $3 million water play and youth facility at the adjacent playground in McCormack Park. Infrastructure and city services director, Sanjay Manivasagasivam said if the plan was adopted the council would seek external funding. “That’s why the priorities are in three to five years: because we need to work towards securing the funding from state and federal Parliament, and also private-public partnership as well,” he said. Bayfit Leisure Centre currently has
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A $64 million aquatic plan for Hobsons Bay, including a $40 million pool in Altona Meadows and replacing Laverton pool with an outdoor water park, has been unveiled by the council. The Hobsons Bay Aquatic Strategy 2019-2030 outlines plans for a $40.75 million “Western Aquatic Centre” to be built at Bruce Comben Reserve. It would include an eight-lane, 25-metre pool and smaller pools, wellness centre, gym, cafe and new childcare centre.
276,599 visitations a year and Laverton Swim and Fitness Centre has 157,200. More than 57,000 residents live within five kilometres of the proposed new pool and this number is expected to grow to more than 70,000 by 2036, the plan states. The estimated number of visits to the new pool would grow from 415,000 in the first year to 520,000 in a decade. Cr Colleen Gates said the plan would go out for community feedback during April. “It’s an exciting piece of work because the first aquatic strategy was done back in 2010 – it never got published for public viewing, which was a little frustrating at the time, and it didn’t put forward any conclusive recommendations of how Hobsons Bay can tackle accessibility for our residents to aquatic facilities and services,” she said. She said the proposed pool at Comben Reserve would directly service Altona Meadows, which comprised 25 per cent of Hobsons Bay’s total population. “I’ve used both Laverton Swim and Fitness Centre and Bayfit and don’t think it’s acceptable to expect our residents to drive to AquaPulse in Werribee or to MSAC [Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre] over the West Gate Bridge to access good quality aquatic facilities. “Everyone should have the right to be able to ride, walk or drive to their local facility.” Cr Michael Grech said the plan was a huge win for Wetlands ward and for Hobsons Bay. “The outdoor water play … will be a first in Hobsons Bay.”
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By Goya Dmytryshchak
(Joe Mastroianni)
Aquatic plan floated