One of Australia’s leading experts on urban planning and public policy has voiced grave concerns about the planning and execution of Tamworth Council’s aquatic centre proposal.
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Of major concern is the fact that neither transport, access or costs will have been comprehensively addressed before council vote on the $61 million proposal and Business Paper on Tuesday night.
UNE Adjunct Professor Tony Sorensen has been a world leader in urban planning and public policy for over 40 years, and is urging Tamworth council to take another 12 months “to consider all options.”
“I’ve had a look at all the documents and data available and it all seems a little odd, to put it mildly,” he said.
“Council have come up with a very expensive proposal and seem to be pushing it through without any real constructive input, vigorous discussion or earnest debate among local citizens.”
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The proposed facility would see over 75 per cent of Tamworth schools at a further distance from the new facility, as well as the majority of residents, particularly in light of the growth on the northern edges of town.
“The cost seems extraordinary, but when you are going to spend that much money everything else needs to be in place first,” Mr Sorensen said.
“There is not much about access, public transport, or the culture of use in the documentation at all – that is the wrong way around.”
In May 2017 a council spokesperson told The Leader “part of the planning phase will address concerns about access to and from the facility. Talks with public transport providers will be undertaken to ensure that access is considered.”
The Leader has since repeatedly asked about access and costs and are unaware of any such “planning phase” or “talks”.
Council has invited the public to attend Tuesday’s meeting and “will only permit three speakers in support and three speakers in opposition” to address the room.
