Thursday, 24 September 2026

 Roma BRITNELL (South-West Coast) presented a petition bearing 1830 signatures:

The petition of residents of Warrnambool and surrounding communities

draws to the attention of the House

that the Warrnambool College Pool is an important regional aquatic facility used by 16 schools and approximately 3,067 students for swimming instruction, water-safety education and other aquatic programs. Approximately 1,400 swimmers use the facility each week.

The proposed closure of the Warrnambool College Pool on 20 December 2026 will significantly reduce aquatic capacity available to schools, swimming programs, families and the wider community. Existing aquatic facilities in Warrnambool and surrounding communities do not currently have sufficient capacity to accommodate all of the programs and users who would be affected by the closure.

The closure therefore creates a significant risk to the continued provision of swimming and water-safety education for local students and to access to swimming programs for the wider community.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly of Victoria

extend the proposed closure date of the Warrnambool College Pool from 20 December 2026 to 20 December 2028, and use this additional time to assess regional aquatic capacity and work with affected schools, councils, aquatic operators, Warrnambool Swimming Club and other relevant stakeholders to develop and implement a safe, practical and coordinated transition plan. The plan should ensure that adequate and accessible aquatic facilities are available for school swimming, water-safety education, swimming lessons, training and competition before the Warrnambool College Pool closes.

Roma BRITNELL: I move:

That the petition tabled in my name, with over 2000 signatures in 36 hours, be moved on this day of sitting, and I urge the Premier to reverse the decision.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for South-West Coast, unfortunately, that is not the way to do things, so we will expunge that one from the record.