Jennifer Pittorino
Hobsons Bay council has announced the long-awaited redevelopment of the Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club (WSLSC) will be started sooner than expected, thanks to a re-allocation of funds.
During council’s June 11 meeting, Cr Peter Hemphill raised a notice of motion announcing $5.5 million has been brought forward into the 2024-25 council budget, to commence the works sooner. The redevelopment had been slated to start the following financial year.
The works are part of a $14.3 million redevelopment of the WSLSC, which will also involve retention of the pavilion, improved storage areas and amenities, a new café and public toilets, a new observation tower, gym, sauna and meeting spaces and improved landscapes.
“The reason I put this motion up is because the draft budget had a million dollars in funding to do the planning and design work,” Cr Hemphill said.
“What this is doing is adding in $4.5 million from the state governments funds that are available in the next financial year.
“It was quite clear that some more money could be put there to start the actual work in the next financial year.”
Cr Hemphill said there have been changes to the redevelopment plans in recent weeks, following a meeting between the club, councillors, council officers and the architect.
“It was about getting everyone on the same page, and I think that’s happened now,” he said.
“We should see a timeline that could see the project begin next year.”
Cr Hemphill said the club’s desires include making the pool smaller than it currently is.
“The intention would be that there would be a pool in there,” he said.
“The current pool is 33 metres, the club wants to bring it back down to a 25 metre pool.
“Which would then allow them some space to put in an observation tower which would overlook both the beach and the pool.”
Council expects an updated concept plan to be presented at its August meeting, to be released immediately to the community for a public consultation period.
“I am not expecting there will be a great deal of negativity about that,” Cr Hemphill said.
“I think people now understand once they see this that we are moving on with the job and the plans include what the club wants.”
