Facts about the Olinda Pool
Can I please as for a continued support for
the community engagement process and encouraging all to get involved and
participate.
It is important everyone in the community has their say to best inform Council on the long term options for the Olinda Pool site.
No decision has been
made on the long term options for the Olinda Pool site. The engagement process
is to discuss the value, gaps and opportunities the Olinda Pool site may
represent the community in the future.
FAQ
What has been
achieved? Workshops with all community interest groups (including CFA yesterday
– 6 October 2014) and launch of the on line engagement with a new discussion
question posted weekly.
What is coming up?
Workshops with young people including the U14 Netball Team; U14 Cricket
Team, Scouts and the Yarra Ranges Young Leaders; Bus Stop / Township Walk
intercept survey of young people; and a phone survey of 400 households that will
be demographically sampled.
Q2/ How
much longer?
Once the engagement
activities are completed (next two weeks), Council staff will collate the
findings and draft a report for Council to consider next steps. At this time,
the community will be informed of the next steps and time frames.
Q3/ Can
Council repair the pool now so the pool can be opened for the upcoming
season?
Unfortunately no. The pool will remain closed until a decision is
made by Council.
Short term
measures were investigated to try and reopen the pool. However, the structural
engineer report and condition assessments undertaken identify a range of
upgrades required to reopen the pool that is at considerable cost to Council.
These are:
Repair the
pool shell and install hydraulic water stops and a liner to limit water loss and
reduce ground water pressure
Upgrade
the plant and pipe work to meet water circulation standards for safe swimming as
stipulated under the Public Health and Infectious Diseases
Regulations
· Refurbish
buildings and improve access paths to meet requirements under the Building
Code, Disability Discrimination Act and Occupational Health and Safety
Act.
Due to the
significant cost and risks, Council resolved to explore long term options before
making a decision on the future upgrade of the Olinda Pool site.
Q4/ How
much does it cost to repair the old pool
The
minimum estimated capital cost of these upgrade works is $750,000. The
structural engineer report and condition assessments indicate that these works
would deliver a medium term outcome that has been clarified as approximately 10
years.
These
reports are available at Council’s webpage - the Olinda Pool Update.
Weblink:
http://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Lists/Parks-Facilities/Olinda-Outdoor-Pool/Olinda-Pool-updates
There have
been allegations made that Council staff are trying to manipulate the outcomes
of the survey, particularly with reference to Theme 5. This is incorrect and
what is reported is factual.
We appreciate there
is support for retaining the Olinda Pool as a place that holds local endearment
and offers social value, especially for young people and families.
The data
we have collected over the last 10 years shows that on average the Olinda Pool
recorded visitation of 2,468
at a cost per visit (subsidy) of $22.70. This equates to approximately 18 people
per day.
Even if we
were to double these statistics, they are still significantly less then the CERM
National Industry Benchmark for outdoor pools that recorded visitation of 24,783
at a cost per visit (subsidy) of $6.68. This equates to approximately 177 people
per day.
Q6/ What
has come out of the engagement to date?
We have heard that
there is support for retaining the Olinda Pool as a place that holds local
endearment and offers social value, especially for young people and families.
This will be represented to Council along with a range of themes that have been
explored with community groups:
Theme 1: A place that
embraces social value, activity and community. A place that
embraces the social history of the site and promotes a healthy and active
lifestyle all year round.
Theme 2: A place for
young people and families. The site is an
important place for young people to gather and could provide lots of different
activities for families including a wifi park space, multi-activity court, skate
elements, ropes course and boulder park.
Theme 3: A place for
greater community activity. The site is a place
where people can hold community events such as film nights, markets and the
writers festival and community programs run by the Olinda Community House.
Theme 4: A place that
represents fire safety planning. The site provides a
clear open area that provides a sense of safety or retreat in a high bushfire
zone. It has a strong relationship with the CFA and could be used to represent
fire safety planning.
Theme 5: Repair the
existing pool. A place for swimming
and summer recreation, lying on the grass and informal social connection.
Q7/ Save
the Olinda Pool group submission?
Council
staff wish to thank the Save the Olinda Pool group for their submission to the
community engagement process. This submission will be reported to Council as the
Save the Olinda Pool group’s position on the future of the Olinda Pool site.
Jason, a 'fact' that you have neglected to mention is that Council passed the following motion in January this year:
ReplyDelete“That Council officers immediately investigate alternative methods of repairing the Olinda Pool to expedite its reopening” (Council Minutes 28/01/ 2014).
You voted against this motion, but a majority of Councillors voted in favour, and so you and all in the council, one assumes, are bound by this resolution. The question that needs to be asked is why this resolution has not been acted upon - i.e. why are steps not being currently undertaken "to expedite the re-opening of our pool". What does this say about Council processes and the worth and integrity of its resolutions? The Hills community is very confused, and also troubled by all this.
And the other question that 300 residents don't feel was fully answered by you at the Tuesday meeting was why you opposed this resolution in the first place. You have said you were interested more in a long term solution for the pool - but many of the 'facts' you outline above suggest you are fundamentally not interested in a pool option for the site. Is this a valid conclusion to draw?
Tim Moore - for Save the Olinda Pool
Pool numbers are incorrect as they are averaged over days when pool is closed.
ReplyDeleteSome of the groups listed for consultation have expressed concern in how they are being run and have withdrawn. Are you addressing this?
Hello thank you for your response, you have left a name so Im sorry not to address you personally. Im fully aware about the numbers and that this is not a true reflection of how many people attended the pool. Mr John Faull has explained to me on many occasions that gates were left open allowing many people to come and go without any form of registration of attendance.
DeleteIm keen to hear which groups feel concerned about the consultation process and have they expressed this to the officers running them? I meet with officers regularly to see who they met with and how it went and who they are going to meet. Please let me know!
Not sure why the community would want to support the community consultation process after some of you comments when we have expressed concern.
ReplyDeleteI think you have lost significant support and respect from the community which is sad as the elected representative.
Why are you now calling the discussion Facts when some of them clearly are your viewpoints.
ReplyDeleteWill you propose an agenda item at the next meeting of council to reopen the pool?
And if so will you support the motion this time around?
The original post is a report from council officers NOT my own words. This is categorical! Im not sure why you think they are my "viewpoints"
DeleteThe consultation process is wrapping up soon (next 2 weeks) I have been in contact with the officers involved on a very regular basis.
Im happy to support a motion that ensures Olinda residents have a pool that will last into the future! I will ensure I give you a strong voice to get the best possible outcome! But I can clearly say that any motion prior to the end of the consultation period and report process will not be met with much support!