By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council appears keen to build the municipality’s third indoor leisure and aquatic facility in Tarneit, despite a long campaign by Point Cook residents for their suburb to get such a facility.
Wyndham’s Long Term Capital Works Program plan for 2021-22 to 2030-31, as seen by Star Weekly, includes proposed projects the council will consider to help with levels of debt across the next decade.
A “Third Indoor Leisure & Aquatic Facility 1160 Riverdale” is included on the list, a reference to land on Sayers Road, Tarneit.
The Long Term Capital Works Program – which is subject to review every year and can be changed – also states the future indoor leisure and aquatic facility will cost about $100 million.
According to the document, the council will spend about $53.2 million on the project – about $50 million less than originally planned.
The council will instead seek funding from other levels of government to meet the entire cost of the facility.
Wyndham Councillor Josh Gilligan said that he opposed the decision to cut $50 million of projected funding to build the Riverdale Leisure and Aquatic Centre in Tarneit.
“Families in Tarneit made it very clear to me at the last election that a major leisure and aquatic hub was desperately needed and I’ll keep fighting on their behalf to make that a reality,” he said.
“Despite the shortfall, council has a clear position that Tarneit is next in line for this vital community facility”.
However, Point Cook Action Group (PCAG) secretary Christine Macpherson said that the booming population of Point Cook, in Wyndham’s south, deserved an aquatic centre just as much as Tarneit – which is in the north – does.
“Why they are getting it up in the north before it was built down south?” she said.
“I don’t understand, with the municipality being this big, the thinking behind saying three aquatic centres is the limit – why not build four?”
Wyndham city life director Allison Kenwood said the council has begun early planning for a third aquatic facility, monitoring the level of post-Covid re-engagement at Aquapulse and residential growth.
“These factors as well as a number of other considerations will help determine where a future site may be located and will assist us in developing a future business case and concept plan,” she said.
“Wyndham city will engage with the community and conduct community consultation on any future draft concept plans.”
