Cr Callanan - this looks like some redressing of the the imbalance on your blogspot - after you expressed great enthusiasm last week for a Liberal pledge from candidate Mark Vershuur to fund the Monbulk Pavillion if elected.

To quote you: "How awesome is this!!!! Thank you Mark!" Nice too that you're on first name terms.

The same 'awesomeness' about the Olinda Pool announcement?? And why the formality to "Mr Merlino"?

These pledges from the local politicians are all good for our community - but I don't think we're fooled about your claims to have no biases in the upcoming state election campaign (Blogspot 26 Sept). You really need to get a bit more dinkum with the community you serve

Good evening Jason,

It would be great if your blog had some of the photos taken Olinda Pool community meeting which you attended. These can be loaded of facebook freely if required.

This meeting, though not organised or promoted by the council, was extremely well attended - (a bit like the photo on this page above of an overcast day at the pool.) The community consultation that night was fantastic- it wasnt all one sided which is fine, but it was focussed on the getting the daggy old Olinda Cool back on line.

Jason, can you tell me whether there has been any work to open just the toddlers pool first whilst other works proceed?- It doesnt leak ( full to the brim of taddies and slime at present). The costs would be limited to the temporary fencing off of the main pool. Or is this outside of the scoping works which the staff have been given? This would then show that the Council is committed to servicing the ridge top community whilst the main pool is patched. It should be noted that much of the community angst is because in recent years we have lost our Mobile Library Bus service, Kalorama Play ground, Olinda Golf Course, the playground next to the Rhody garden /Olinda scout hall has been neglected ( since the building works the electric BBQ's - dont even work )

Regards
Al

Al thank you for your comments, I believe this is outside the scope of works set by council.

As for the Kalorama Playground, it hasn't been lost in fact if you read my post "Kalorama Playground Update #1" you will see although the old playground has been removed, consultation and design work for the new playground has been completed and out for public display. There WILL be a playground at Kalorama!

The Olinda Golf Course is set on State Govt Land and unfortunately isn't part of the shire, Im disappointed that it went, but alternatives for its use are soon to be asked, at the moment it appears to be a great walking/trekking spot.

The mobile Library Service was looked at at our last council meeting held on the 14th October - here is what was resolved:

That Council endorses:

1. The introduction of a pilot program for a six month period that replaces the existing
Outreach Service with an expanded Flexi Service to include Krikbrae Village
(Kilsyth), Walmsley Village (Kilsyth), Millgrove, Mt Dandenong, Seville, Warburton
and Woori Yallock.

2. Seeking community feedback on the pilot program prior to and during the six month
period. Based on this feedback, additional locations such as Belgrave Heights,
Chirnside Park and Ferny Creek may be added to the Flexi Service timetable.

3. A further report being presented to Council based on the findings of the pilot program
and community feedback in June 2015.

I know Kalorama is not named here but feedback from you and others would be valuable to hear from!

The scout hall and BBQ - I will ask our property services dept to investigate this!

Thanks again jason for following this up- let me clarify, the playground and BBQ next to the scout hall is what has been neglected- If this play ground was cleaned up, BBQ fixed and some signage provided then our hill top visitors would flock back to it- It is only since the works were undertaken at the oval that it has suffered.

Al

Al, I will have the facilities next to the scout hall looked asap!