IN response to Greg McClure’s letter “New pool well overdue” (Bendigo Advertiser, April 17), some clarification and opinion is required.
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Why is it that proponents of the new pool seem intent on closing the other local pools to achieve their aims?
It is an imperative that they include Golden Square residents in their plans, which put at risk the great work carried out by Golden Square residents to protect and improve their local pool.
The Golden Square pool is situated opposite the new public school being constructed in Maple Street, which was a state government initiative and loudly proclaimed by the past Liberal government in 2014 (proudly supported by our politicians).
With the growth of Bendigo, it is imperative that local pools remain or increase due to the council and our state government pushing for “higher housing density and population growth” in the inner areas of Bendigo and its surrounding suburbs such as Golden Square and Eaglehawk.
The pool at Golden Square provides access to a growing housing and population density and the approximate 400 students at the Maple Street school, with ease of access and less travel costs and congestion on our streets and roads (something our politicians have been pushing and should refer to when making decisions).
If the proponents of the new aquatic centre want a new pool at Kangaroo Flat to service the new housing and population increase in their area, then by all means fight for it, but keep your hands off other local pools and the good work being carried out by local residents such as those of Golden Square.
As the latest news from our council indicates a preference for a 25-metre pool at the new centre, what value is that for school sports or swimming carnivals, which require a 50-metre-long pool?
It appears some prefer the idea of high-quality lifestyles and are prepared to protect the privileges of special interest groups, as long as other pay for their privilege, irrespective of the cost.
The council and councillors should be investigating and implementing a plan that will provide strategies and direction for this project "to aspire to becoming a self-sustained operation".
This is something the Independent Review looked at as part of an investigation into the council’s performance and would be preferable to loading up rates, which does not appear to be a fair, equitable or efficient outcome to a lot of ratepayers.
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