See you at the pool
A MOOD of infectious optimism appears to be sweeping our community.
Sure, we still have a long way to go before normal life can return after Covid-19 but Toodyay is on the move.
Latest evidence is the town’s new $14 million recreation centre with its long-awaited public swimming pool, now filled invitingly with sparkling blue water.
Every kid (and a few parents) who sees this month’s Herald Page 1 picture is going to want to jump into that pool this summer.
Despite concerns about the huge cost – $4.5 million in borrowings to be repaid over the next 20 years – the new facility is a potential game-changer for Toodyay.
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Belts will need to be tightened as ratepayers bear the brunt of ongoing costs.
But strong civic leadership, a vision for the future and sound financial management can help turn Toodyay’s new Recreation Centre into a powerful community asset.
Growing numbers of Perth people are starting to look to Toodyay as a safer, healthier alternative for young families living in a new online world.
Local real estate agents say house sales are skyrocketing with buyers from all over Australia looking for local bargains.
Toodyay’s long-dormant River Hills Estate next to the aquatic centre is starting to fill up with big new homes designed for younger families seeking to switch to a more secure country lifestyle.
Local population growth to generate new wealth is the only way we can afford to keep servicing our ageing population, and now we have a first-class facility to attract more young families to Toodyay.
Doomsayers may call it pie in the sky but our community has little choice if it wants to secure a more sustainable future.
But we must also be vigilant to protect the unique assets that make Toodyay such a special place to live.
Our new Toodyay Shire Council is to be applauded for moving to protect historic buildings in the town’s Catholic Precinct at the town’s main entrance from Perth.
It is inconceivable that any of those buildings can be fenced off, disfigured by advertising or demolished because a previous shire CEO approved a commercial subdivision without seeking public input.
Toodyay’s new civic leadership has shown a refreshing willingness to be more open, transparent and accountable in protecting community assets, and this augurs well for our shire’s future.
See you at the pool.
Michael Sinclair-Jones
Editor
