OPEN LETTER TO ALL CITY OF GREATER GEELONG COUNCILLORS

Dear Mayor Cr Stephanie Asher & Councillors,

Lets work together to build the best pool for the North Bellarine

Following the closing of the tender for the North Bellarine pool, and various issues surrounding the tender process (including a required two-week extension, with multiple addendums), I write offering my cooperation to work with Council to ensure the best long-term outcome for the people of the north Bellarine.

The current outdoor pool proposal has significant shortcomings, including:

• an annual heating and maintenance cost of well over one million dollars,
• poor energy efficiency from heating an outdoor pool,
• not suitable for young children to learn to swim, and
• not suitable for the elderly and people with disability to use year-around.

As you would be aware, the Australian Labor Party has a $20 million election commitment on the table towards an indoor aquatic centre with allied health facilities.

In all reality, it is highly likely that the Coalition will at least match the Labor commitment prior to the Federal election, due in coming months.

This opportunity should be the catalyst for a state-of-the-art indoor, or hybrid indoor-outdoor, aquatic centre to be delivered in one stage, in a timely and cost-effective manner.

A well-designed hybrid facility would meet the Coalitions demand for an outdoor pool facility, while also providing the indoor features that the community overwhelmingly seeks.

A bipartisan approach would be in the best interests of the people of the north Bellarine and, ultimately, the Councils budget and environmental sustainability objectives.

Delaying a decision to award a contract for the current outdoor pool proposal would enhance Councils likelihood of delivering a facility that fully meets community expectations.

Importantly, it would still be delivered in a timely fashion as one complete product, rather than over an extended period in two distinct stages.

It may potentially be years before Council is in a position to retrofit a proposed Stage2 indoor facility to a basic North Bellarine outdoor pool.

So, lets build this once. Lets do it right. Lets save ratepayer dollars.

I urge you, as Councillors, to pause on the tender process to maximise all opportunities. The community deserves this approach.

I would welcome the opportunity to speak with all Councillors and the CEO, Martin Cutter, on this significant issue, prior to any decision being made regarding the North Bellarine pool tender.

Yours Sincerely,

Libby Coker MP

Federal Member for Corangamite

1 November 2021