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Mr BROGDEN (Pittwater) [4.28 p.m.]: When I was elected to Parliament four years ago I introduced a private member's bill resulting from my attempts, along with those of the Pittwater community, to save land in Winnererremy Bay, Mona Vale, from sale by the Department of Public Works for what was likely to be medium-density housing. Sadly, the Carr Government had absolutely no regard for this important foreshore land. The only thing it was interested in was selling the land and receiving a financial return without considering the needs of the community or the environment. Because of the Government's control of private members' business the private member's bill was never debated.
However, I am pleased to say that Pittwater Council, under the leadership of Mayor Patricia Giles, put its money where its mouth is and moved to buy the land. In doing so, it was forced to sell its depot to raise the necessary funds. The site of the depot, which was further away and more appropriate for housing, is now in the process of being sold. The council expects that the sale of the land will raise between $15 million and $15.5 million, the majority of which will be used to buy and outfit a new depot. That could reasonably be expected to leave Pittwater Council with a profit of approximately $1.5 million to $2 million.
I congratulate Pittwater Council for saving this important piece of land, which is located on the foreshores of Pittwater. It is one of the few open public spaces left for the community to enjoy. In contrast to the callous indifference of the Carr Government, Pittwater Council has worked hard to ensure the preservation of the land. In recent years the council has also been active in public works. Those works include upgrading the northern end of the Wakehurst Parkway, which is one of the gateways to Pittwater. The council and local community organisations have built a clubhouse for the Narrabeen Sharks Rugby League Club. At present the council is working with the Department of Sport and Recreation, Manly-Warringah Basketball Association and Academy Netball to build a four-court indoor basketball and netball facility on the grounds of Narrabeen Sports High School. The council has also been for other substantial public works projects in the local community.
Today I call on Pittwater Council to consider using the profit it will gain from the housing developments at Winnererremy Bay to build an Olympic swimming pool in the Pittwater local government area. Unlike Warringah and Manly, Pittwater does not have such a facility. Some people might argue that with several coastal beaches, most of which have ocean pools, Pittwater does not need an Olympic swimming pool. I disagree. In this day and age there is a need in our community for an Olympic pool and, clearly, it should be an indoor heated pool. Such a facility is needed by individuals in the community, by athletes, who are presently forced to train at Warringah and Manly and beyond, and by our schools.
Mrs Lo Po': Why don't you tell the council?
Mr BROGDEN: That is what I am doing now. I am pleased the Minister is listening. The local schools desperately need a swimming pool facility. They do not have a local pool for swimming carnivals or for their future swimming stars. They do not have an opportunity to make use of an Olympic pool in their community. Not all children can swim successfully in the ocean; the ocean requires a different style of swimming. I urge Pittwater Council to use the $1.5 million to $2 million that will be left over from the sale and redevelopment of Winnererremy Bay to move forward on this matter. The far northern beaches are blessed with a beautiful coastline, but we are disadvantaged by poor public infrastructure. This is a great opportunity for Pittwater Council to set that right. I suggest that a good site for such a facility would be adjacent to Pittwater Rugby Park, the home of the Warringah Rats, which has parking and public transport nearby. Construction of a swimming pool in that area of Warriewood and Narrabeen will enhance what has become a sporting and entertainment facility for the people of Pittwater. In addition, visitors to the caravan park across the road would ensure ongoing high patronage.