Leichhardt Pool threatened by smoke stack
Day, Date Month 2019
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has condemned a State Government proposal to place a large smoke stack just metres from the side of a children’s pool in the grounds Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre (LPAC).
The large ventilation stack is part of the NSW Government’s Sydney Metro West line, which has been proposed by the State Government to be located adjacent to the Olympic pool and children’s pools within LPAC and would be built only meters from the popular Bay Run walking and cycling path.
Council has already endorsed plans for the targeted area to be transformed into a new landscaped waterplay park with BBQ facilities and shaded recreation space.
“This is one the most ludicrous proposals that I’ve ever come across. It takes a special kind of ineptitude to come up with a proposal that ruins two of Sydney’s most popular recreational facilities at once,” said Mayor Byrne.
“Leichhardt Pool had nearly 800,000 visits last year and the Bay Run is enjoyed by thousands of people daily. To propose a smoke stack slap bang in the middle of this area is complete madness.
“Early advice from Council officers is that the air quality, noise and vibration impact from construction will force us to close the pool, which will have a devastating effect on our learn to swim classes, hydrotherapy programs and local sporting clubs.
“Last week, we were looking at temporarily closing Leichhardt Pool due to bushfire smoke, but if this proposal goes ahead, we might have to close the pool permanently due to a Government-owned smoke stack.
“Bizarrely, the Government also informed us that the kids and families using the pool won’t need to worry as they are planning to divert emissions from the smoke stack into the path of cyclists, joggers and pedestrians along the Bay Run, instead.
“It’s sink or swim time for Leichhardt Pool. For years, the State Government has been waging a war on residents by driving its expensive motorway through the heart of the Inner West. Now, it wants to destroy our recreational facilities too.
“If the Government thinks they be able to slip this through over Christmas without community opposition they have another thing coming. The Council and the community will unite to save Leichhardt Pool,” he said.
For media enquiries, contact John Roper | Media & Communications Coordinator P: +61 2 9392 5914 | E: john.roper@innerwest.nsw.gov.au