Wednesday, 4 March 2026

 Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (12:01): My question today is for the minister representing the Minister for Outdoor Recreation. The proud people of Rochester community have been asking for one thing for a long time now: a new outdoor swimming pool. During the 2022 floods the Rochester outdoor swimming pool was destroyed, rendered totally unusable. This is not just a place to keep cool during the stifling summer; it is the heart of Rochester’s community. The Campaspe Shire Council has earmarked the Rochester outdoor pool as their number one priority for this coming financial year. Minister, have you met with the Campaspe shire to discuss the replacement of the Rochester outdoor pool?

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:01): I thank Ms Tyrrell for her ongoing advocacy on this issue. Obviously, this is a matter for the Minister for Outdoor Recreation, and I certainly do not know whether the minister has met with the organisation that you mentioned. Obviously this is an answer that will be supplied by the Minister for Outdoor Recreation as per the standing orders.

 Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (12:02): I thank the minister for passing this on. Minister, it was almost exactly 12 months ago that my Northern Victoria colleague Ms Lovell brought the replacement of the Rochester outdoor pool to this chamber, and yet nothing has been committed towards it. The Campaspe Shire Council have already committed $5 million towards the replacement of the Rochester outdoor pool, and they have already taken the initiative to remove the old damaged pool. Will the minister commit to funding the replacement of the Rochester outdoor pool in the 2026–‍27 budget?

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:03): I thank Ms Tyrrell for her supplementary question, and of course this will be referred to the Minister for Outdoor Recreation.

The PRESIDENT: Before I call the next question I acknowledge former member of this Parliament and minister Lisa Neville, who is in the gallery.