Fiona Carrick (second from left) is also part of the Save Phillip Pool lobby group. Photo: Facebook.
Independent candidate for Murrumbidgee Fiona Carrick has called on the ACT Government to build a new aquatic centre in Woden, highlighting a lack of pool facilities in the southside of Canberra.
“The announcement of a new aquatic centre in Commonwealth Park continues the consolidation of social infrastructure in the inner north and fails to address the long-standing need for better access to aquatic facilities for residents of Woden, Weston Creek and parts of the Inner South,” she said.
Last week, ACT Labor pledged to replace the ageing Civic pool with a new facility that will include a 50-metre pool, a program for swimming lessons and a splash park if re-elected.
Ms Carrick, a longtime resident of Woden, says her part of town has been neglected.
“With the rapidly increasing population in the area, the Woden region needs a centrally located aquatic centre that is easily accessible by public and active transport. Fifty-metre pools for southside swimmers, water sports, families and schools are limited to Tuggeranong, and the Stromlo facility that needs better public transport to access it. The ACT has the lowest per capita access to pools in Australia,” she said.
Phillip Pool, the only swimming facility in the Woden area, was sold to property developer Geocon in 2022. It’s been mostly closed for maintenance since then, briefly opening in the summer of 2023/24 before shutting its doors again.
A pool staffer says it will re-open in November 2024, but an exact date is not yet known. An ice-skating rink next to the pool, also bought by Geocon, remains in operation.
Ms Carrick is part of the advocacy group Save Phillip Pool, which is concerned about the long-term future of the facility and wants the government to step in to provide a public swimming centre.
Geocon has told Region that it will be able to provide an update on the future of Phillip Pool in the coming weeks.
Candidate Peter Strong calls for northside hydrotherapy pool
Meanwhile, Peter Strong, who is running with the minor party Strong Independents in the seat of Kurrajong, believes it is the northside of Canberra that lacks pool facilities.
Peter Strong is running as an independent at this year’s ACT election. Photo supplied
He has called for the establishment of a hydrotherapy pool for that area, which he said would provide essential support to assist with pain management for those with arthritis and chronic fatigue, as well as help strengthen joints in preparation for surgery or for post-surgery recovery.
“The ACT Government needs to cater for all people, including those with arthritis. There are one in six people who suffer from what can be a debilitating condition, yet in the ACT, there is a dearth of hydrotherapy pools that are essential for many people to relieve these symptoms. The government likes big fancy projects but ignores the other infrastructure that will benefit people who need support and treatment.”
“Currently, there is one facility in the north, and that is at the University of Canberra. It is over-subscribed and difficult to access.”
Mr Strong said after discussions with Arthritis ACT, he estimates the costs of a standalone facility would be $5 million.
“Arthritis ACT has done the hard yards and needs to be listened to; this is for the benefit of those with arthritis and, therefore, their families and the whole community,” he said.
“But the government likes splashing around in a warm pool of self-admiration while others have to do with what is less than needed and less than acceptable. Yet, I suppose, that’s what happens after 23 years of the same government and a decade of the same self-focused leadership.”
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