• Labor leader Mark McGowan, Cockburn MP Fran Logan and party hopefuls Simone McGurk and Klara Andric with architect Sam Martin.

by BRENDAN FOSTER

ANDREW SULLIVAN says Labor’s plan for an ocean pool at Bather’s Beach  is nothing more than a “election stunt”  and won’t stop swimmers being eaten by sharks.

This week Mark McGowan promised to build a pool between Fishing Boat Harbour and the Round House, if Labor was elected to government on March 9.

But Cr Sullivan – the local state Greens candidateand local city councillor—says the major parties are simply trying to outbid each other in pretending to deal with the “great shark issue”.

“It worries me that ocean pools seem to be suddenly the flavour of the month,” the long-time beaches campaigner says.

“Most of the measures the politicians have grabbed for, including spotter planes, nets, kills, and ocean pools are not going to have any significant impact other than to scare us humans even more.

“The experts have suggested, and I agree with them, that money should be spent on shark research and education.”

He says the pool isn’t a priority and Mr McGowan has fluffed it anyway by proposing to build it in the wrong place.

But Labor candidate Simone McGurk reckons the location is perfect.

“It’s close to Fishing Boat Harbour and existing amenities—we will have to build up those amenities, but I think it’s a great idea and a great spot.

“There are sharks and stingers in the water so less people are using the water, so I think this could increase the use by school groups and people with disabilities, meaning a broader group of people will be using the ocean.”

Local architect Sam Martin, says people will use it regardless of where it is.

“People walking through the West End will commercially activate the West End, which has a been a huge problem for successive councils,” he told the Herald.

“And if we wait for the overall masterplan of the area there goes 20 years.”