BICTON’S enjoying a rare splash of cash with the new seat being the first in the area to attract a bidding war between the major parties, this week getting a $1 million pledge from Colin Barnett to do up the Bicton Baths.

The baths, where generations of local kids have learned their first Australian crawl, will get a new cafe, more tables and extra foreshore by moving the car park.

Mr Barnett said the government had spent $16 million restoring the Swan’s riverbanks and the upgrade would let more people enjoy the benefits.

• Albert Jacob, Colin Barnett, Rebecca Aubrey and Matt Taylor at Bicton Baths.

“One million dollars will be spent here to make this area more accessible, to expand the public areas and allow people to enjoy not only swimming in the river but also just picnicking and enjoying it,” Mr Barnett said.

Bicton Liberal candidate and sitting Bateman MP Matt Taylor took credit for the announcement, saying he pushed for the upgrade after talking to the Bicton Environmental Action Group and the Melville Water Polo Club.

“The project will be done in conjunction with the City of Melville and will involve moving the car park back from the river so that there is more public green space adjacent to the foreshore, as well as improving the amenities to maximise community benefit at this beautiful location,” Mr Taylor said.

It follows Mr Taylor’s announcement with education minister Peter Collier on Wednesday that a returned Liberal government would put $10 million into a new Centre for Arts Excellence at Melville senior high school, as well as upgrading existing classrooms.

“I’ve been campaigning for this funding since the school wrote to me seeking support for their vision to build a new Centre for Arts Excellence,” Mr Taylor said.

Labor has committed to a $4.5 million upgrade of the school’s performing arts centre.