By Matthew Sims
Hobsons Bay council has moved forward with works to create final design plans for the Western Aquatic and Early Years Centre in Altona Meadows.
At its meeting on Tuesday, March 14, Hobsons Bay councillors passed a motion to award a $1,952,918 contract for a lead consultant to complete design development drawings and a construction documentation package, with six votes in support of the motion and Cr Daria Kellander abstaining.
Initially estimated to cost $60 million, the cost was now projected to be 30 to 40 per cent higher than initial projections.
Hobsons Bay council has already spent $120,000 on feasibility studies, designs and investigations during the last two years.
Initial plans for the project have included an eight-lane 25m pool, a wellness centre and a gymnasium, as well as an early years zone to accommodate three and four-year-old kindergarten.
The state government has so far pledged $10 million towards the project.
Cr Matt Tyler said while there was more work to do to secure funding, making clear design plans was a necessary part of preparing the project for funding.
“This is a really important step if we want to move this proposal forward to a point where it’s shovel-ready,” he said.
Cr Tyler said investment into the maintenance of the Laverton Swim and Fitness Centre would continue while this work was still ongoing.
Hobsons Bay councillor Daria Kellander said she was concerned the project was “pie in the sky”.
“At this point, we’ll be waiting decades before this pool becomes a reality,” she said.
“Surely, there’s a more affordable and more accessible solution that we can look to right now.”
Hobsons Bay councillor Peter Hemphill said he believed it was “prudent” to spend the money and build the centre in Altona Meadows.
“If we are successful in this project…it will be paying its way within a couple of years,” he said.
Details: participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/waeyc
