FORMER Albury mayor Kevin Mack has called for a community poll to be held in conjunction with the September council elections to test the support for a regional aquatics facility at Lauren Jackson Sports Centre.
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Cr Mack said the election provided an opportune moment for all Albury ratepayers to have a say whether they wanted to bankroll an indoor pool at a cost of at least $36 million.
Seven options for future aquatics facilities have been placed on public exhibition until March 22 with a report on the feedback expected to be presented to council mid-year.
Cr Mack said there would be sufficient time to include the community poll on pools on the election ballot paper.
“We are nowhere near the point of being ready to dig,” he said.
“We can simply include a question on our ballot paper as to what they are after and what they want in terms of aquatics facilities.
“The only way to get a clear mandate is to put the question to the ratepayers.”
Cr Mack attempted to get a similar poll prepared for the 2012 election in relation to Murray Art Museum Albury, but missed the deadline.
He said the poll outcome would provide the incoming council with a clear direction on what aquatics facilities the community wanted and long-term budgeting could begin.
“It will be one of the single biggest infrastructure projects Albury Council will invest in,” Cr Mack said.
“It is really important we get the support from the ratepayers to do it.
“If we get a resounding mandate we do it.
“If the ratepayers want it we will give it to them, but there is always a cost.”
Cr Mack said developing a joint facility with Wodonga Council to service more than 100,000 people would make a more compelling case to attract federal and state government funding.
Wodonga has previously resisted a joint aquatics venture with Albury, but its WAVES complex is yet to be fully completed.
Wodonga Council elections are also due to be held in late October this year.