Independent MLA for Murrumbidgee Fiona Carrick says an Auditor-General’s report into planning changes at the Phillip Swimming and Ice-Skating Centre confirms community concerns that decisions about the facility were made without proper evidence or consultation.

Ms Carrick was responding to a report tabled in the Legislative Assembly that found there was no rigorous analysis supporting a decision to reduce pool requirements at the site from a 50-metre outdoor pool to a 25-metre indoor pool.

Auditor-General Ajay Sharma found government agencies did not undertake a specific assessment of future needs for the Phillip pool site before changing planning requirements under the new Territory Plan.

The audit also found a consultation report incorrectly stated that a sport and recreation needs analysis had determined a 25-metre pool would meet community requirements.

Mr Sharma said no such analysis had been undertaken as described and that the statement misrepresented the extent of work used to justify the change.

Ms Carrick said the report showed decisions had been made without evidence and without proper regard for the Woden community, which had consistently argued for the retention of a 50-metre pool.

She said that the report had “exposed a troubling pattern of failure, disregard and mismanagement by the ACT Government” in relation to the Phillip Pool and Ice-Skating Centre.

“What should have been a transparent, evidence-based process about the future of critical community infrastructure became a rushed and opaque exercise that has left the Woden community sidelined and underserved,” said Ms Carrick.

The Territory Plan changes, adopted in 2023, allow a redeveloped Phillip Swimming and Ice-Skating Centre site to include a 25-metre indoor pool instead of the previously required 50-metre outdoor pool.

The report recommends the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate ensure future changes to Territory Plan requirements for sport and recreation facilities are supported by documented assessments of community needs and interests.

It also recommends the City and Environment Directorate develop guidance to ensure public responses to planning consultation accurately reflect the analysis undertaken.

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