Labor pitches $8 million outdoor pool to win over landlocked locals

While the city has an indoor pool, locals have not had access to an outdoor facility since 1999. (ABC Goldfields: Jarrod Lucas)

The federal Labor Party will fund the construction of an $8 million outdoor pool in Kalgoorlie-Boulder if it wins the election on May 21.  

Shadow Resources Minister Madeleine King made the announcement in Kalgoorlie this morning.

Ms King was joined by the party's O'Connor candidate, Laverton teacher and deputy shire president, Wankatja/Ngaantjarra woman Sheneane Weldon.

The mining city, in central WA, sits almost 400 kilometres from the nearest coastline. 

Locals have not had a public outdoor pool since the closure of the Lord Forrest Olympic Pool in 1999.

The community does have a heated indoor pool at the Goldfields Oasis Recreation Centre.

The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder will consult with locals on the new facility's location if the plan goes ahead. 

O'Connor candidate Shaneane Weldon and Shadow Resources Minister Madeleine King made the announcement in Kalgoorlie this morning. (ABC Goldfields: Jarrod Lucas)

Hot summers for inland community

Kalgoorlie-Boulder faces high summer temperatures, often consistently into the 40s.

O'Connor candidate Shaneane Weldon said the region was neglected by the current government. 

The Lord Forrest Pool in Kalgoorlie, which closed in 1999, was WA's first Olympic pool. (Supplied: State Library of Western Australia)

"If you needed any clearer evidence that the Morrison government takes O'Connor and our community for granted it is the fact that one of Australia's hottest places hasn't had government support for a pool for two decades," Ms Weldon said. 

Madeleine King said the region punched above its weight economically, but did not receive enough back. 

Kalgoorlie-Boulder, home to almost 30,000 people, is a four-hour drive from the nearest beach. (ABC Goldfields: Jarrod Lucas)

Shire says region has been ignored

The president of the Shire of Coolgardie, Malcolm Cullen, said the Goldfields-Esperance region was being neglected by both state and federal governments.

Cr Cullen said other regions were given more attention, despite the economic output of the Goldfields-Esperance area, which covered almost 40 per cent of WA. 

"We always seem to be lacking that recognition when we have federal government ministers and state ministers saying the Pilbara is the engine room of Australia, but we feel we are a significant player in this game."

Shire of Coolgardie president Malcolm Cullen wants to see more recognition and funding for Goldfields projects. (ABC News: Jarrod Lucas)

He said health, infrastructure, and reducing red tape for local service providers in the region were not being given adequate attention.

"Our small remote regional local governments put in up to $300,000 or more per year to provide a GP to their town," Cr Cullen said.

"There are so many things that the state and the federal government can get behind."