A ‘‘SIGNIFICANT’’ upgrade of Lambton Pool that would see an indoor pool and gym built on-site will be investigated if Labor’s Ward 3 by-election candidate, Declan Clausen, is voted in on Saturday.
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If elected Mr Clausen would move a motion in the council chamber seeking ‘‘feasibility planning’’ be undertaken to investigate the cost of turning Lambton into a ‘‘Regional Aquatic and Fitness Centre’’ that would operate ‘‘year-round’’.
In 2007 the council released plans to turn Lambton Pool into the city’s main aquatic and leisure centre, with the addition of an indoor pool, a redeveloped grandstand, a new fitness centre, second water slide and a ‘‘lagoon adventure playground’’.
But the plans never eventuated, and Mr Clausen said if elected he wanted to see the pool turned into a ‘‘Forum-like’’ venue, referring to the Forum gym and pool at the University of Newcastle.
However, if elected, Mr Clausen would become a member of a council forced to make significant service cuts since 2012 to stave off looming insolvency, and he’s cautious of over committing.
‘‘I’m not going out promising new facilities,’’ he said. ‘‘But this was something that was outlined back in 2007 and nothing has come of it [and] I want to get the ball rolling on investigating whether it’s feasible.’’
Asked how Labor councillors would react if a study found the upgrades - and additional year-round staffing - weren’t feasible, Mr Clausen said he would ‘‘take that information back to the community and make sure it is part of the discussion’’.
With a week left until the vote, both of the party-affiliated candidates are beginning to outline their visions for Ward 3.
Greens candidate Nevenka Bareham has criticised the ‘‘butchering’’ of street trees by private contractors clearing branches around power lines, and called for a ‘‘smarter approach’’ from the state government in regulating pruning.
‘‘While there is a need to manage street trees to ensure safety around power lines, what we have seen in the last year across Newcastle is well beyond what is required,’’ Ms Barehamsaid.
Sitting Greens councillor Michael Osborne called on the state government to ‘‘rein in cowboy contractors’’ and investigate a ‘‘long-term solution’’ to trees around power lines, such as underground wiring.
