There have been a lot of promises lately about swimming pools for Gungahlin, but the one thing we haven't heard yet is when?

The ALP made an announcement in August that they would fund the full aquatic complex we have been seeking - 50m main pool, toddlers pool(s) and the all-important 25m learn-to-swim pool. At the time we asked the Liberals whether they intended matching this promise, but got no reply, despite the Liberals running ads in GunSmoke on the pool issue.

Now - in the election tradition of recycling announcements - Sports Minister Andrew Barr has announced $40 million in sports infrastructure - including the $20 million Gungahlin pool again.

When approached by the Canberra Times about the announcement - apart from expressing surprise at the recycled announcement - the key thing I asked for was timing.

The ALP has not given a date, and they've stretched things out in the past, so people are understandably suspicious. The Liberals have been pounding the issue themselves, but have announced nothing themselves. Likewise the Greens - potentially balance of power holders - have not put forward a position.

What would be an acceptable timing? The 2009-10 budget in May should detail funding for the next two years, with the full design funded for 2009-10 and construction to commence early in 2010-11. This would see the facility completed in 2011, fairly closely dovetailing with the college construction.