With the federal election edging closer, Opposition Leader and Member for Grayndler Anthony Albanese has been busy on the campaign trail around Australia. But he made a campaign stop closer to home on Saturday morning to announce a $1 million federal funding promise for Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre.
"We don't have much open space in the inner west so we need to make use of every millimetre of it for improving the quality of life, particularly for families and young people," said Mr Albanese.
"It always strikes me that the space in between the pool and the harbour is kind of wasted. What this is about is using the existing space, putting in barbecue facilities and a water play park for little kids."
He said if a Labor government is elected, it would allocate $1 million towards upgrades laid out in the Inner West Council's $15 million master plan for the centre including a landscaped water play area with barbecues and a shared recreation space.
Inner West Council mayor Darcy Byrne said many councils and governments had been walking away from public pools, "but here in the inner west we have a different attitude. We see investment in public pools as an investment in the social fabric of our community."
The water play park is estimated to cost around $1.2 million and includes an interactive zero-depth water play area where children can play safely, as well as seating, grassed areas and biodiverse plants.
Mr Albanese said the project was chosen for a federal funding promise because it was a priority for council and, should a Labor government be elected, the money would be available "straight away".
"When we say we'll do something, we'll actually do it. We're a couple of months away from polling day now, and we have a chance to change the government.
"I would like a country that's inclusive, engages people, and uses public funds for public good. This is an example of funding which will do just that," he said. "We've already seen substantial upgrades to the pools in Balmain, Enmore and Ashfield. It's time to upgrade this facility."
The council spent $44.7 million on the Ashfield Aquatic Centre, which opened in October 2020. An $8 million heritage refurbishment of Dawn Fraser Baths was also completed in September last year.
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