ALBURY mayor Henk van de Ven was called upon to use his casting vote to press ahead with a non-binding community poll on whether ratepayers wanted to spend up to $50 million on an indoor pool complex and shut Lavington Swim Centre.
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The eight-member council was deadlocked on whether the poll would be held as part of September's local government elections with councillors Kevin Mack, Darren Cameron, Ross Jackson and van de Ven in favour.
After a lengthy pause, Cr van de Ven eventually agreed the poll would go ahead at an estimated cost of $26,000.
The poll was strongly opposed by councillors Alice Glachan, Graham Docksey and deputy mayor David Thurley.
Cr Betteridge also voted against.
Cr Glachan said the poll was premature and short on detail.
"To put a figure of $50 million is very difficult because it is unlikely the people of Albury will be required to pay for all of that facility," she said.
"To include the possibility of closing Lavington is a bit difficult because it is just one of the options that maybe open to a future council."
Cr Docksey said he was vehemently opposed to the Lavington pool closing and the poll had the potential to "kill" the aquatics strategy.
"There is no way in the world I will stand in this chamber and allow a vote to go ahead that closed Lavington Swim Centre," he said.
"Albury, in the long-term, deserves a first-rate aquatics centre, but this question could kill the project."
Cr Thurley said a high level of consultation had been carried out on the issue.
"There will be many, many more opportunities for ratepayers to comment on this proposal," he said.
Cr Mack said the project would create a "significant generational debt" and questioned whether ratepayers had the capacity to do it on their own.
"We have had no significant money for any project of any significance (from the state government) in this city for a long time," he said.
"I would rather see $26,000 spent and our electors, ratepayers, shareholders, say 'thank you for that opportunity'."
Cr Cameron said a FINA standard pool complex would cost four times the amount of the $11.2 Murray Art Museum Albury which attracted no significant NSW government funding.
"It's something the people of Albury are entitled to hear about and make their voices known on," he said.
"It is a fantasy the state government will contribute any funds for this proposed project … look at the art gallery, look at the proposed on and off ramps at Davey Road.
"There has been a consistent failure by the state government to provide a fair share of funding to Albury."
