I am calling on Georges River Council to rebuild Carss Park Pool at its existing location.
Carss Park Pool, which is formally named the Kogarah War Memorial Olympic Pool, is an important facility that has been used and enjoyed by generations of residents for more than 50 years.
The pool is of historical significance both as a war memorial and as the training ground for many national and international champion swimmers. The funding of its construction in 1965 was contributed to by the Returned and Services League.
Georges River Council decided to permanently close the pool in 2019 due to reports indicating that the facilities were no longer fit for purpose and that they posed a significant risk to the local environment. Council resolved in February 2021 to demolish the pool.
This was a disappointing outcome for many people in the community. Council is obliged to build a new aquatic centre to make up for the loss of the existing Carss Park Pool facility.
The Federal Government has committed to providing Council with $5 million towards rebuilding Carss Park Pool at its existing location.
Council has so far declined to take up this offer of funding and is instead considering a plan to build a new aquatic centre elsewhere, with Todd Park in Blakehurst and Jubilee Oval in Kogarah named as potential sites.
It is my strong view that Council should rebuild Carss Park Pool at its existing location - it is clearly possible that this can be done.
The community has overwhelmingly expressed its desire for Carss Park Pool to be rebuilt. More than 10,000 people have signed an online petition in support of this view.
With funding support from the Federal Government, Council has an opportunity to rebuild Carss Park Pool for the community. The Carss Park site is of strong historical significance and is the best location for a new aquatic centre.
I will continue to call on Council to commit to rebuilding Carss Park Pool as soon as possible. If you are concerned about the future of Carss Park Pool, please don't hesitate to contact me. I will be sure to keep the community informed on any updates about this issue.
