E&OE TRANSCRIPT
Topics: Thriving Suburbs Program; Noarlunga Pool; Swimming; Final sitting week.
JO LAVERTY, HOST: It was a couple of weeks ago you heard from a local council describing the state of the Noarlunga Aquatic Centre as being critical. Phu Nguyen is the CEO of the City of Onkaparinga.
PHU NGUYEN, CEO OF THE CITY OF ONKAPARINGA: The upgrades that we're looking for, Jo, is to upgrade the pool roof, the plant rooms, the pool’s shell, and also some of the back room functionality, including the switchboard and also the filtration system. So, these assets. The pool was built in 1991, but it's over 30 years for some of these assets now and it's time for us to make sure they're renewed and able to be used for future use.
JO LAVERTY: And Phu did mention that he was hoping for some good news from the feds, and today, that very good news, that there is a lifebuoy being thrown out by the Federal Government to the tune of more than $5 million. Amanda Rishworth is the federal member for Kingston and former swimming instructor. So, this is something quite close to your heart, I imagine. Amanda Rishworth. So, tell me why this project is worth throwing more than $5 million at.
AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: Great to be with you. And this facility is described by the City of Onkaparinga as the most used facility in the southern suburbs. It has over 270,000 people go through it each year. And so it is a really important facility. And of course, it has aged a lot. And really there were some concerns that there wasn't a viable future for it without this funding. So, I'm really pleased that the Government has been able to secure $5.4 million. The Council will be making up the other half to really make sure that this pool is available for generations to come. I think this is a really good investment and something that, you know, will really make a big difference to the community.
JO LAVERTY: When will they get that money?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, look, today we announced the money. They've already got their plans in place. Today the Council was talking about whether there's any ability to bring forward those works. I think there's a decision by Council to match the money coming up, but it is really important that that work begins as soon as possible.
JO LAVERTY: So, that's some very good news if you are a fan of the Noarlunga pool. And I know Council will be very pleased because they said without this money from the Federal Government, there's just no way we can go ahead because we cannot afford it. Now, Amanda Rishworth, you're currently the federal member for Kingston, but back in the day you were a swimming instructor? For years?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: I was, I was a swimming instructor. So, while I was at school and uni, I taught kids how to swim. My favourite was definitely the mothers and babies, but as we're going into summer, it's a really important reminder. I really love to see children grow and learn to swim and importantly, stay safe. So, it was one of my very fun jobs I got to do.
JO LAVERTY: And do you still swim today?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: I do swim, but not as often as I'd like. I would say it's very sporadic, but I do sit by the side and give my young son some swimming tips, which he promptly then ignores me, of course.
JO LAVERTY: Did you say, ‘don't you know who I am? I am a former swimming instructor / federal member for Kingston’?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: I have pulled that out once before.
JO LAVERTY: It doesn't work, does it? And how are you recovering after a massive, sounds like quite crazy time in Canberra?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, look, it's been an incredibly busy time in Canberra. It was, I think 32 or 31 bills went through the Parliament in that last week. But it's been really, really nice to get back and be back from Canberra and connect with the local community. There's lots of really wonderful organisations putting on Christmas events, Christmas carols, all that sort of thing. So, it's been great to connect with people and so many organisations do such wonderful things at this time of the year. I just want to say it was a very enjoyable weekend.
JO LAVERTY: Yeah, good to speak with you. Thank you. Amanda Rishworth on 891 ABC Radio, Adelaide. With more than $5 million coming from the Federal Government to make sure that the Noarlunga Pool can continue on.