Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 4156

❓ Question regarding consultation and community preference for a $7 million pool project in Kalumburu, following reports of a prior preference for a water park. The Minister confirms ongoing consultation, health benefits of a pool, and current community support for the pool project.

AnsweredQoN 4156Legislative Assembly

Asked

9 October 2018

Member

Mr P.J. Rundle

Portfolio

Housing

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to reports from ABC Kimberley on 6 September 2018 in relation to an election commitment made by the Member for Kimberley, confirming she had not formally consulted with the Kalumburu community on a $7 million pool, and I ask: (a) can you confirm that the community actually wanted $2.5 million for a water park; (b) can you confirm the Member for Kimberley told the community they had to accept $7 million for a new pool or they would lose all the funding; and (c) is your Government proceeding with the $7 million project despite the fact community leaders have said previously a water park would be a safer, more affordable option?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

21 November 2018

Responded by

Minister for Housing

Response time

13 days

(a)-(c) Prior to the last election, the McGowan Government committed to the construction of two pools in remote Indigenous communities - one at Balgo and the other at Kalumburu. Construction of the pool at Balgo is imminent. There has been ongoing consultation with the community at Kalumburu and the possibility of a water park was raised early in this process. However, swimming pools provide social and health benefits, particularly for young children. Ensuring children have full immersion in chlorinated water has been shown to be vital to improved health outcomes in these communities, who often have epidemics of ear, eye and sinus infections that have long term health consequences. Full immersion cannot be guaranteed in water park style facilities. Consultation with the community has been ongoing, detailed and in-depth. In addition to the continued strong advocacy from the Member for Kimberley, who has consulted with the community on several occasions, the Department of Communities has engaged with the community of Kalumburu on at least ten occasions on the proposal. I visited Kalumburu on Thursday 27 September and the CEO of the community confirmed with me that the only option they want is a pool. The construction of the swimming pool has wide community support. The Department of Communities is now in final consultations with the community on the site for the pool facility, with construction expected to start in 2019.

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