The
proposal to have a swimming pool at Green
Square is an issue that Kristina
Keneally, MP for Heffron, feels strongly about. “South of
Cleveland Street there are no swimming pools, no active community facilities and
no indoor sports facilities.” She goes on to add, “Residents that live north of
Cleveland Street
enjoy access to 5 swimming pools and a number of active community facilities.”
Councillor
Tony Poley, former Lord Mayor of South Sydney
which covered the Green Square
area until it merged with the City in 2004, agrees. “City of Sydney Council has yet to resolve a
Development Application approval,” he says. “An independent group did an
initial review of leisure facilities in the area but there is no doubt that
there is a need for aquatic facilities here.” Cr Poley adds, “Considering how
fast DAs can be put through, such as the recently approved Surry Hills Library,
there is really no excuse for the Lord Mayor to have taken so long over this
matter.”
At last
week’s Finance, Properties and Tenders Committee meeting, councillors asked to
be advised of details for community facilities in the Southern (Green Square) area.
Council resolved to prepare a feasibility study, including public consultation
for locating the proposed pool at the former South Sydney
council offices site, 132-138 and 140
Joynton Avenue,
Zetland.
A brief has
been prepared with project outcome defined and a business plan is being
developed. Recreation planning consultants SLG Group have been engaged to
undertake the project. It is anticipated that the recommended Facilities Mix,
draft business plan and Project Brief will be available for presentation to
Council in August this year.
The
consultants have already undertaken market research by phone survey and are
completing consultations with local community groups and other stake holders.
The total
budget projection is currently $28 million based on provision alone and may
vary once Council determines the mix of facilities and the timing and phasing
of construction.
A
spokesperson for Lord Mayor Clover Moore
said, “The intention is all there. It has all been planned. It is just a
question of how long it is going to take.”
Source:
South Sydney Herald June 2007 www.southsydneyherald.com.au/