By MELISSA MEEHAN
Tears flow as politicians ride wave of emotion…
A $500,000 Labor election promise to save the Olinda Pool received raucous applause on Tuesday night as the community squeezed into the Olinda Hall.
Hundreds of concerned residents came together for an opportunity to meet with councillors and politicians, voice their concerns and make plans for the future to save their pool, in the hope that it’s opened in time for summer.
The pool was closed late last year by the Yarra Ranges Council citing irreparable cracks and low attendance.
Since then, a report has confirmed that the cracks can be repaired at a cost.
Save the Olinda Pool committee member Narelle Everard, who also chaired the meeting, said that while she didn’t like the reason for the community coming together, it was great to see the people of Olinda take a stand.
“To be able to get so many people together, it’s a sign that we have a strong message,” she said.
“We want the pool reopened.”
Another committee member Tim Moore said that there was complete community consensus about what the town wanted.
“Even amongst different groups in the community, including Save the Olinda Pool and Friends of Olinda Pool, we all want it reopened by summer,” he said.
“The council let it run down, without any maintenance for 20 years, and now they’ve taken it away.”
Monbulk MP James Merlino was invited to speak to the room, and pledged $500,000 towards the redevelopment of the pool and construct a new community playground if the Labor Party wins the state election, and his commitment was matched by the Yarra Ranges Council.
“I’ve thought long and hard about this,” Mr Merlino said.
“But you don’t build a community by tearing down much loved facilities.
“This has gone on far too long.”
La Trobe federal MP Jason Wood also promised funding for the pool.
“Once this pool is gone, it’s gone,” Mr Wood said.
“I congratulate James on his funding announcement, and hope that my Liberal colleagues and candidate for Monbulk Mark Verschuur can also make an announcement in the future on this.
“I will get federal funding too.”
Yarra Ranges Mayor Fiona McAllister and her colleagues councillor Jason Callanan, Samantha Dunn and Noel Cliff all attended the meeting.
With Cr Dunn and Cr Cliff arriving late, Cr Callanan was the only one to face the waiting crowd.
Emotions ran high, with many attacking Cr Callanan for not speaking up on behalf of the community who voted him onto council.
“I understand you are frustrated, I have been frustrated as well,” Cr Callanan told the crowd.
“But there is a process we have to follow, I know everyone here wants the pool open and I encourage you all to submit your feelings to the council.”
Continued page ….
Pools of emotion, page 10.
