Aslan Shand
It is not often that you hear of a facility or service being provided for free these days. The idea that you won’t appreciate it if you get it for free seems to be the pervading ideology. So it was with relief, that as yet another political ‘promise’ was flicked our way, that Country Labor actually looked like they would genuinely supply an ocean pool free for all.
Country Labor candidate Asren Pugh joined Ballina Shire Councillor, Jeff Johnson today to announce the $4 million promise to build an ocean pool at Shelly Beach if they got elected.
‘As a local councillor and member of the Ballina Ocean Pool Committee I have been volunteering my time, as have a number of dedicated local professionals, to complete the planning reports necessary for the pool,’ said Mr Johnson.
‘We have now completed the major planning reports at zero cost to Ballina Council. The $4 million funding announcement by Asren Pugh and his Labor team is the total estimated cost of the pool plus associated infrastructure. A great result.
‘The Ballina ocean pool will be a wonderful asset for the community of Ballina and beyond. It would be open all year round, be free of charge, and will provide a safe ocean swimming experience for the whole community,’ he said.
A community and business impact report, prepared by Southern Cross University, recently surveyed the community in regard to the impact of the ocean pool and found that its construction would bring more people to Lighthouse and Shelly beaches and attract more visitors to Ballina.
‘While every initiative will have its detractors ocean pools have proven very popular right up and down the coast and last for decades (some are up to 100 years old),’ said Mr Johnson.
‘Whether you have young children, an elderly parent, have mobility issues or are a passionate ocean swimmer this pool is for you.’
The proposed ocean pool is a colossal waste of taxpayer dollars. We already have an ocean pool. It’s called Shaws Bay. It is clean and safe and well patronised. Anyone who grew up in this area knows that the proposed pool will need constant dredging. Who will pay for that?