The Nationals Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has urged the Premier Jacinta Allan to listen to local residents and keep the Bendigo East swimming pool open.
Speaking in Parliament, Ms Broad said the pool was a popular community asset, and the decision to close it over winter following the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games was just another “kick in the guts” for locals.
“We are yet to see the $2 billion promised to regional communities following the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games, and I ask the Premier to work with the local Council and Committee of Management to find sustainable solutions to keep the Bendigo East pool open.
“It seems crazy that over $120 million was spent to build the GovHub in the centre of Bendigo, but there’s not enough funds to keep a community asset open.” Ms Broad said.
The Bendigo East pool is a community facility that builds social connections, and helps keeps people healthy and out of hospital,” Ms Broad said.
“Last year the community was told that the Brennan Park pool would be upgraded and made into a heated year-round pool, but that project is yet to be funded and works expected in 2028.
“Bendigo East Swimming Pool is the only 50m outdoor pool open in winter, which means the region will have no outdoor winter pool until the Brennan Park is completed.”
According to the Council’s pool usage data, there were 73,000 visits to the Bendigo East Pool, and only 5,000 to Brennan Park.
Ms Broad attended a community meeting on Sunday to discuss the impending closure with local residents and people who travel to use the pool.
“I met a range of people of all ages who rely on the pool, including a lady who has been going to the pool for 30 years, and now takes her young daughter.
“The pool is also a training facility for the local triathlon group, and the Bendigo East Swimming Club. Swimmers like Cam Jordan train at the pool and represent Australia at the highest level of competition.
“These clubs have been told to relocate over winter to Gurri Wanyarra in Kangaroo Flat which is already busy. Bendigo has a rapidly growing population. We need to keep the Bendigo East pool open, at the very minimum until the Brennan Park pool is upgraded.”
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au