By MELISSA MEEHAN
Public protest gathers to challenge decision…
A PUBLIC meeting to save the Olinda Pool will be held this Thursday.
Organiser John Faull said he had received a lot of support from residents and visitors to save the pool after the Mail broke the story on 19 November.
Yarra Ranges Council confirmed its plans to close the pool permanently citing irreparable cracks in the pool, as well as a low attendance rate.
But Mr Faull said that he had received lots of support from the community to want to fight and challenge the council’s decision with common sense.
“The whole plan to shut it down is just ludicrous,” he said.
“Why close something the community wants?”
He said that the people of Olinda felt as though they were being ignored by those in the council offices at Lilydale.
“We get nothing for our rates,” he said.
“The majority of our roads are dirt roads that get graded once in a while.
“Why shouldn’t the people of this area be allowed to keep their pool?”
Mr Faull also asked why, if the pool wasn’t that important to the town, that the council and CFA were looking for another static water base in case of a bushfire.
“This pool was built with the community and fire fighting in mind,” he said.
“We are going to fight it and save the pool.”
The public meeting will be held on Thursday at the Olinda CFA station from 7pm onwards.
Those who can’t attend, but still want to show their support, are invited to contact Mr Faull on 0427 371 344.
What are your fondest memories of the pool? Will you join John’s fight to save it? Email editor@yvnews.com.au.
