Footscray MP Marsha Thomson was at the Sunshine Swim and Leisure Centre site early on Monday morning to announce the offer.
The pool has been the subject of months of intense discussion following the Government’s pledge last year to install an outdoor one at Sunshine.
As well as the promised outdoor pool, which is to be built using panels from the FINA World Championship pool, the Government’s offer includes installation of an outdoor children’s water play area, and funding for landscaping, including shading and BBQ facilities.
“With strong support from the local community for this project, the Brimbank City Council should accept the Bracks Government’s funding for a state of the art facility as soon as possible,” Sports Minister James Merlino said in a statement last week.
The offer has the support of the Sunshine Mothers Group, which has led the community consultation with the State Government. “It will go a long way to restoring not only a much-needed facility but also in creating an environment that all of our community can enjoy, share and benefit from,” said Sunshine Mothers Group spokeswoman Nadia Ring in a statement on Monday.
But the public announcement came as a shock to Brimbank City Council.
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Mayor Margaret Giudice first heard about the offer from a Government press release.
Council was due to receive a formal letter of offer sometime Monday, but when Star spoke to her Cr Giudice she had not seen the letter.
“Brimbank Council did not know that the minister was actually going to be making an announcement this morning,” she said.
“Yes I am, very annoyed,” Cr Giudice said early Monday morning.
“It’s been a total non-council discussion from the beginning when the announcement was made last year,” she said.
Council was due to discuss the offer on Monday night.
